BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
The person shot by police in Bedford County after a pursuit has been identified.
On Feb. 11 around 10:59 a.m., deputies with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office saw someone driving the wrong way on the road and tried to stop the vehicle.
The driver got out of the vehicle and when deputies started to interact with the passenger, he got into the driver’s seat and sped off, triggering a police chase, authorities said.
The chase continued into Bedford County at which point Bedford County deputies took over with the help of Virginia State Police, according to the sheriff’s office.
When the driver reached the Town of Bedford, authorities said town police helped to disable the tires of the vehicle, but the pursuit continued out of the town southbound on Falling Creek Road.
Deputies got the vehicle to stop at the Falling Creek Road and Otterhill Road intersection. As we previously reported, the SUV crashed on Falling Creek Road, where the officer-involved shooting occurred.
Authorities then arrested the driver, now identified as 41-year-old Barry Derr of Fairfield.
Derr was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital and was being treated for a gunshot wound. Authorities said he had life-threatening injuries.
We’re told Derr is charged with driving with no operator’s license, felony eluding, assault on law enforcement and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He’s currently being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail without bond, and additional charges are pending in Bedford and Botetourt counties in connection with the incident, according to Sheriff Mike Miller.
ORIGINAL STORY
Virginia State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Falling Creek Road after a pursuit in Bedford County Sunday morning.
Police said just after 11 a.m., the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle for reckless driving.
We’re told the SUV fled the traffic stop and continued into Bedford County. The SUV crashed on Falling Creek Road, where the shooting occurred.
According to VSP, the suspect was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital and is being treated for a gunshot wound. Authorities said the driver has life-threatening injuries.
No officers were injured during the incident.
We’ll continue to update this breaking news story as we learn more.