Search continues for Fairfax hit-and-run driver who fled into storm drain to escape police
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Driver hides in Virginia storm drain after hit-and-run crash
Virginia State Police are searching for a man who fled the scene of multiple crashes on Interstate 495 Monday afternoon, leading to an hours-long manhunt that involved drones, rescue teams, and police officers scouring a nearby neighborhood. FOX 5's Julie Donaldson has the story.
FAIRFAX, Va. - Police are continuing to search for a man who fled into a storm drain after reportedly causing multiple hit-and-run crashes on I-495 Monday afternoon, leading to an hours-long manhunt that involved drones, rescue teams, and officers scouring a nearby neighborhood.
Victor A. Caneza, 38, was initially charged with felony hit-and-run and felony eluding after investigators say he fled a traffic stop following the crashes.
Virginia State Troopers have since obtained charges of misdemeanor eluding, driving without an operator’s license, providing false identification to law enforcement, no state vehicle inspection, improper vehicle registration, expired state vehicle registration, and driving with an open container.
RELATED: Driver hides in Virginia storm drain after hit-and-run crash on I-495
The backstory:
Police say the incident began around 2:35 p.m. on Monday near Eisenhower Avenue when state troopers responded to two crashes on I-495 eastbound. As they investigated, a third crash occurred nearby.
One of the vehicles involved in the third crash fled the scene, according to officials. Less than a mile away, that same driver — later identified as Caneza — crashed again, ending up in a ditch.
When police caught up to Caneza, he was still inside of his car and was told to wait inside. But he decided to make a run for it.
Police say Caneza abandoned the car and ran across both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the highway before disappearing into a drainage area beneath the interstate.
As officers combed the area for Caneza, the say he briefly reemerged from the drain on the eastbound side before vanishing into a second drainage area.
Teams searched for over three hours, with more than a dozen officers and rescue teams searching for the suspect. They used drones in the drainpipe and frequently paused all activity to listen for any signs of movement.
The manhunt ended around 6:30 p.m. without locating the individual.
Police said Caneza did not have a valid driver’s license but was carrying a construction ID. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Virginia State Police.