From the Stafford Sheriff’s Office:
An intoxicated driver who fled the scene of a serious accident Sunday morning could not escape the perimeter deputies established around the scene.
Sunday at 1:25am, deputies responded to an overturned auto accident in the 100 block of Shelton Shop Road. The investigation revealed a Tesla had just pulled out of a driveway in the area when it was rear ended by a Volkswagen Jetta. The impact caused the Tesla to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The Volkswagen also left the roadway and came to rest on the driver’s side in the tree line.
The driver and passenger of the Tesla remained on scene and the passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. The driver of the Volkswagen fled the scene on foot.
Deputies quickly established a perimeter and called for K-9 and the Drone Team to respond. Deputy E.T. Osborn was on the perimeter and witnessed the suspect run through a yard near the Fire Station. The suspect was located in under an hour hiding in a thick stand of bamboo near a creek.
The suspect was identified as Nicolas Rodriguez, 25, of Stafford. Deputy S.E. Kellam worked the accident and observed Rodriguez had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage and was unsteady on his feet.
Rodriguez was arrested and charged with DUI second offense in five years, DUI maiming, fleeing from law enforcement, reckless driving and felony hit and run. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Photo courtesy Stafford Sheriff’s Office
