Man dies during IW pursuit
Published 9:13 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2017
A Portsmouth man died Monday evening following a high-speed pursuit in Isle of Wight County, according to law enforcement officials.
William McChell Chapman, 27, of the 5600 block of Darby Close, was driving a 2003 Ford Explorer when he entered the westbound lanes of Route 10 from Fairway Drive, lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the eastbound lanes and was struck head-on by a 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer, according to Virginia State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya. Chapman died on impact, and the Explorer was engulfed in flames.
The Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of Chapman’s vehicle at the time, Anaya stated.
Lt. Tommy Potter of the Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office said the suspect had attempted to elude the deputy by turning off his headlights.
Anaya stated that Chapman was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the incident. It is unknown if alcohol was a contributing factor.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Christopher Logan, 34, of Hampton, was not injured.
The sheriff’s department requested the assistance of the Virginia State Police to conduct an investigation into the fatal accident, Anaya stated. The sheriff’s department will conduct a separate investigation on the police pursuit.