15-03-2025
After wrong-way chase on highway, state police apprehend 21-year-old who stole a U-Haul
Virginia State Police have apprehended a 21-year-old who they say stole a U-Haul truck, evaded police on the interstate for over 10 miles and drove the wrong direction into oncoming traffic.
State police were notified of a chase Virginia Beach Police Department units were engaged in on Friday afternoon. The driver, later identified as 21-year-old named Ashlynn Nichole Barnes, had reached the Virginia Beach-Norfolk city boundary on Interstate 264 driving westbound in a stolen 2015 GMC U-Haul truck.
In an official statement, state police say Barnes made a U-turn in the roadway, traveling on the eastbound shoulder of the westbound lanes. Barnes drove through a cut-through when approached by an oncoming trooper and back into the eastbound lanes of the I-264.
From there, Barnes headed westbound on Interstate 64, from the interchange, and used the reversible High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to change directions, driving through and striking down the closed gate system and traveled into oncoming traffic, state police say.
Barnes made another U-turn in the reversible HOV lanes and proceeded to I-64, eastbound, and struck a trooper's vehicle attempting to stop her on a flyover while heading eastbound on I-264.
Barnes, in another reversible lane, was stopped by state troopers who intentionally struck the truck.
State police did this 'not only disable the vehicle, but to stop Barnes from hurting herself and endangering others on the roadway,' the statement reads.
Troopers escorted Barnes to Norfolk Sentara General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Troopers were not hurt in the pursuit, state police say, nor were other motorists.
Charges are pending on Barnes' release from the hospital.
This is developing story. Check back later for more details.
