An update from the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office:

 

During the afternoon hours of Thursday, 12-29-22, the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Department was alerted to an ongoing pursuit in Wise Co. that was heading into our county. 

 

Sheriff Fleming and all available law enforcement personnel in the county positioned to intercept the pursuit. The two individuals, a male and female, involved in the pursuit had been identified as being wanted in multiple jurisdictions. We also had information that one of the subjects had a firearm. 

 

Wise County continued to pursue the subjects into our county on Coeburn Mountain Road, until Sheriff Fleming eventually took over the lead position of the pursuit. The suspects continued to flee on Dickenson Highway, through the town of Clintwood, and onto The Lake Road. At this point, several law enforcement agencies, including Clintwood Police Department, Haysi Police Department, the VA State Police, and multiple deputies from Dickenson and Wise Co. Sheriff’s Department was involved and staged along the anticipated route of the pursuit. Sheriff Fleming and Wise Co. deputies continued to pursue the wanted individuals on The Lake Road. A successful spike strip was deployed near the area of the Marina, partially disabling the suspects front tires. The suspect continued to flee, traveling towards The Lake Road and Cowpath Road intersection. One of the suspects pointed what appeared to be a firearm towards Sheriff Fleming and other pursuing officers multiple times, before the pursuit came to an end at Cowpath Road intersection. 

 

The vehicle came to a stop on the side of the road. When Sheriff Fleming and other officers exited their cruisers to attempt to apprehend the suspects, the passenger in the vehicle shot himself with the firearm. The female driver was arrested and medical aid was rendered to the passenger. He was taken to a local hospital and was flown to Pikeville Medical Center. The injured subject continues to be in critical condition. He has since been transferred to another medical facility, better equipped to handle the type of injury he has sustained. 

 

The male subject had outstanding warrants out of Bristol, Virginia, California, and Colorado. The female subject had outstanding warrants out of Bristol. The names of the subjects involved are not being released at this time because the investigation is ongoing and multiple charges are pending. 

 

Investigators from Dickenson, Wise, and the VA State Police, are conducting the investigations surrounding the recent events. 

 

Sheriff Fleming would like to thank all the agencies involved for the successful teamwork and professionalism that was exhibited during this event.