The Shadow
Rockbridge County, VA – Around 1:15 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Virginia State Police and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office with a high-speed vehicle pursuit on Interstate 81. The pursuit originated in Augusta County and entered Rockbridge County traveling southbound on I-81. The suspect vehicle was reported to be traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour and driving erratically, posing a significant risk to public safety.
Law enforcement officers coordinated a controlled response, including the deployment of tire deflation devices. The suspect vehicle was successfully disabled, bringing the pursuit to a safe conclusion near mile marker 197. The driver, Melissa Lee Mathura, a 43-year-old female from Mansfield, Georgia, was taken into custody and transported for medical evaluation as a precaution. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident, and no injuries to members of the public were reported.
Mathura was charged in Augusta County with Felony Eluding, Reckless Driving, and Driving Under the Influence (Second Offense within Five Years）.
“This incident highlights the importance of strong inter-agency cooperation and disciplined decision-making during high-risk situations,” said Sheriff Tony McFaddin. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all involved agencies, this pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion and the threat to the public was minimized.”
The Sheriff commends the professionalism and coordination demonstrated by all agencies involved, which resulted in the safe resolution of a potentially dangerous situation.
