Driver Runs After Crash, Caught by Police Moments Later

A routine patrol turned into a short pursuit and arrest on Friday evening in Front Royal, ending with a crash near a local restaurant, but no reported injuries.

Around 5 p.m. on April 10, a Front Royal police officer was traveling east on Happy Creek Road when a black Mercedes sedan passed at a high rate of speed heading in the opposite direction. The officer turned to initiate a traffic stop, but police say the driver sped away instead.

A brief pursuit followed, with the driver continuing at high speed and passing multiple vehicles in a single lane. The chase ended when the driver attempted to turn from North Royal Avenue onto West 8th Street and crashed into a parked vehicle outside the Knotty Pine Restaurant and Lounge.

Police said the driver then got out and ran. After a short foot chase, officers took the suspect into custody at the intersection of Warren Avenue and West 8th Street.

No one was injured during the incident.

Rayquan Khalid Newton, 30, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was arrested Friday following a police pursuit and crash in Front Royal. He faces multiple charges and was also wanted in Pennsylvania on felony offenses. Photo courtesy of RSW Jail.

The driver was identified as Rayquan Khalid Newton, 30, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Authorities said Newton was already wanted in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with full extradition on charges including aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and riot with intent to commit a felony.

Following the incident in Front Royal, Newton now faces several additional charges, including felony counts of disregarding a law enforcement signal to stop and destruction of property. He is also charged with leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, operating an uninsured vehicle, and driving on a suspended license.

Newton remains in custody as the case moves forward.

Here is the list of charges:

§ 46.2-817 – Disregarding a signal by law enforcement to stop (Felony)
§ 18.2-137 – Destruction of property (Felony)
§ 46.2-896 – Leaving the scene of an accident (Misdemeanor)
§ 46.2-707 – Operation of an uninsured vehicle (Misdemeanor)
§ 46.2-852 – Reckless driving (Misdemeanor)
§ 46.2-301 – Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license (Misdemeanor