Police: Woman arrested after I-81 pursuit in Smyth County

SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — A Georgia woman was arrested after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in Smyth County on Thursday evening.

According to a release from the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), a vehicle took off from a traffic stop on Interstate 81 after being stopped for speeding.

A pursuit ensued starting south on I-81 and into the Town of Marion. The vehicle continued to flee through Marion and then back onto I-81 South, the release stated.

Two attempts to use spike strips to deflate the car tires were reportedly unsuccessful.

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The suspect’s vehicle eventually crashed into two vehicles at the Smyth/Washington County line on the interstate. Multiple individuals inside the suspect’s vehicle allegedly fled on foot after the crash.

SCSO K-9 Copper and his handler tracked down the driver, later identified by police as Ciera Emani Chambers, of Atlanta, Georgia, near where the crash occurred.

The sheriff’s office reported two other occupants of the Chambers’ vehicle were taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries.

“Throughout the evening multiple law enforcement agencies searched the area for additional passengers that may have fled from the vehicle without locating any other suspects,” the SCSO said in the release.

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Crime Watch

Chambers was charged with the following:

  • Speeding (83 in a 70 mph zone)

  • Eluding law enforcement

  • Reckless driving

  • Obstruction of Justice

  • Two counts of leaving the scene of an accident

As of Friday, Chambers is being held without bond at the Abingdon Regional Jail.

In addition to the SCSO, the Marion Police Department, Chilhowie Police Department, Virginia State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, several Fire/EMS agencies, the Department of Emergency Management and VDOT assisted in the incident.

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