(Henry County, VA) Just before 8am Thursday a Henry County Deputy travelling North on Rt. 220 was nearly struck after a vehicle swerved into the deputy’s lane.  The deputy initiated a traffic stop and during that stop observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle and the driver appeared to be under the influence.  The driver fled the scene as the deputy attempted an extraction leading to a 37-mile pursuit.

At one point the vehicle lost control and left the roadway and a deputy attempted to pin the vehicle to a tree.  Again, the suspect attempted to flee as authorities approached the vehicle and struck a nearby carport.  One Henry County deputy fired at the suspects’ vehicle, but its occupants were uninjured and continued to flee.  The Virginia State Police were able to stop the vehicle by deploying spike strips and after coming to a stop the cars two occupants fled on foot but were apprehended.

Steven Robert Banks, 30, of Dry Fork, VA, was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I.) and Felony Elude.  Ashley Diane Payne, 35, of Max Meadows, VA, was arrested and charged with Drunk in Public and Obstruction of Justice.

Sherriff Davis has requested an investigation by the State Police which is standard procedure after an officer involved shooting.