From Henry County Sheriff’s Office: On September 12, 2016 at approximately 12:22am, a deputy from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Impala for a minor traffic violation. The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and the operator of the vehicle failed to stop for the deputy. The deputy followed the suspect vehicle North into Collinsville at speeds below the posted speed limit. The suspect made a series of turns that resulted in traveling South on Virginia Ave., at this time the driver accelerated and traveled at a high rate of speed and disregarded traffic control devices. The pursuit traveled into the City of Martinsville where the Martinsville Police Department assisted with the chase. The suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed into an electrical pole on Oak St. in Martinsville.
After crashing his vehicle, the suspect again attempted to flee the scene and backed his vehicle into an unoccupied Martinsville Police Department patrol vehicle. He then attempted to drive away, narrowly missing a Henry County Deputy and a Martinsville Police Officer, both were out of their vehicles attempting to apprehend the driver. The driver then struck a fence and retaining wall bringing the vehicle to a stop.
The driver, James Thomas Barrow, 36, of 216 Navy Ln., Martinsville, VA was taken into custody after a brief struggle with deputies and officers. He was charged with Felony Elude Law Enforcement, Obstruction of Justice, Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was jailed without bond. Barrow was also wanted by Halifax County for an outstanding charge of Failure to Appear for Court.
Additional charges of Felony Assault on Law Enforcement Officers by Motor Vehicle are pending further investigation of the incident by the Martinsville Police Department.
No one was injured during this incident.
Anyone having information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or the Crimestoppers Program at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.
