State police say a motorcyclist they were pursuing died in a head-on crash with a truck late Tuesday night on US 29 between Lynchburg and Danville. Troopers say 37-year-old James Holley of Graham, North Carolina attempted to elude them by driving south in the northbound lanes when he collided with the semi. Police say they were attempting to stop Holley for reckless driving.
NEWS RELEASE: PITTSYVANIA, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a motorcycle pursuit, which ended with a fatal crash. The crash occurred on Tuesday, (Sept 13) at 11:41 p.m. on Route 29, one tenth of a mile south of Route 29 business in Pittsylvania County.
The traffic pursuit began when a Virginia State Police Trooper in Campbell County on Route 29, attempted to stop a Suzuki GSXR 600 for Reckless Driving. The Trooper activated his emergency equipment and the motorcycle refused to stop and sped away. The pursuit continued into Pittsylvania County, where the motorcycle crossed into the northbound lanes of Route 29. The motorcycle was traveling south in the northbound lanes at a high rate of speed, when it struck a 2018 International tractor-trailer, head-on.
James Lee Holley, 37, of Graham, NC, drove the Suzuki. Mr. Holley was wearing his helmet and died at the scene.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and the roadway was closed for an extended period due to a fuel leak from the truck.
The Virginia State Police Crash Investigation and Motor Carrier Teams responded to assist with the crash investigation.
The crash remains under investigation.
