WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — A Lynchburg man was arrested after a pursuit involving a U-Haul truck on Interstate 81 in Washington County, Virginia early Monday morning.

According to a news release from the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), a deputy attempted a traffic stop on a U-Haul truck near Exit 13 in Abingdon just before 1 a.m.

“When the deputy activated emergency equipment, the driver accelerated and refused to stop, initiating a pursuit on Interstate 81 southbound,” the WCSO said in the release. “During the pursuit, the driver attempted to swerve toward officers multiple times, including one instance when the suspect appeared to steer directly toward a deputy attempting to deploy spike strips.”

The pursuit continued onto Gate City Highway, Reedy Creek Road and Miller Hill Road. The driver, later identified by police as Michael C. Chewning, 40, of Lynchburg, then fled on foot near Beech Grove Methodist Church, the WCSO reported.

K-9 Rybar was then used to apprehend Chewning.

In addition to active warrants from Nelson County and Appomattox County, Chewning was charged with the following:

• Attempted capital murder (3 counts)
• Felony elude
• Possession of a schedule I or II narcotics

As of Monday, Chewning is being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail.