Updated Release: 12/19/2014
Police have identified the suspect from yesterday’s pursuit and crash as 22-year-old Jaleel Yelverton.
Yelverton is currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital as a result of that crash.
Charges for Yelverton are still pending his release from the hospital, however, he does have an existing warrant for Malicious Wounding for an unrelated incident.
Previous Release: 12/18/2014
Norfolk Detectives are currently investigating the driver of a possible stolen vehicle, which led officers on a short vehicle pursuit and caused two accidents.
At approximately 2:40 this afternoon, police were investigating a possible stolen vehicle incident near the intersection of Cromwell Drive and Tidewater Drive. While attempting to make contact with the driver of the suspected stolen vehicle, the car sped away from officers. Police activated their lights and sirens, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver of the car refused to stop, and incidentally struck a Norfolk Public School bus in the 1500 block of Willow Wood Drive near Willard Model Elementary School. Two adults were on board the school bus at the time; however, no children were present.
The suspect vehicle continued to elude officers and traveled to the intersection of Granby Street and Willow Wood Drive, where it turned northbound onto Granby Street. The driver then lost control of the vehicle and struck a Dominion Virginia Power pole at the intersection of Sir Oliver Drive and Granby Street.
Officers were able to take the driver into custody. Charges are currently pending against the man.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital as a precaution for minor injuries sustained during the vehicle accidents, and one adult on board the school bus is being treated for complaints of a minor injury at an area hospital.
At this time, police have blocked two northbound lanes in the 6700-6800 blocks of Granby Street, between the intersections of Talbot Hall Drive and Blake Road. Dominion Virginia Power is currently on scene assessing the downed power pole, and northbound traffic on Granby Street will be funneled down to one lane until further notice.
Police ask citizens to avoid the area until normal traffic patterns can resume.