AUGUSTA, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A Staunton man faces multiple charges following a high-speed case on a major Waynesboro thoroughfare.

On the evening of January 4, 2025, an Augusta County deputy saw two a two-vehicle race near the 1400 block of Jefferson Highway which is located in Augusta County. When he tried to initiate a traffic stop, one of the vehicles sped off on the highway, leading to a brief pursuit. The driver, whose speeds surpassed 85 MPH, eventually made a U-turn in the middle of Rosser Avenue, a major Waynesboro street that passes through both neighborhoods and business strips. The driver then turned off his headlights and rear-ended and overturned another car, after which he recklessly drove off in an effort to flee law enforcement.

When the pursuing deputy attempted to intercept the suspect’s car, his cruiser collided with another vehicle that had entered his lane of travel. That car was also overturned, with the deputy’s car totaled.

The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Staunton resident Joshua Anthony Hinojos Grado who now faces multiple charges, including felony eluding law enforcement with the full list of charges in the news release below.

The crash investigation will be handled by Virginia State Police.

 

January 7, 2024, News Release

Augusta County, VA – On the evening of January 4, 2025, at approximately 7:47 PM, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a vehicle pursuit that began in the 1400 block of Jefferson Highway in Augusta County and ended with a multiple vehicle crash in the City of Waynesboro.

A deputy observed two vehicles racing in the area and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. One of the suspect vehicles failed to stop and immediately fled eastbound on Jefferson Highway at a high rate of speed, leading to a brief pursuit.

The fleeing vehicle performed a U-turn in the middle of Rosser Avenue in Waynesboro, turned off its headlights, and subsequently rear-ended another vehicle, causing it to overturn. The suspect then attempted to flee the crash scene, continuing to drive recklessly.

The pursuing deputy attempted to intercept the suspect vehicle, but collided with another vehicle that entered the deputies lane of travel. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn and the deputy’s vehicle was totaled at the scene.  The crash was report at 7:51 PM.

Despite the crash, additional deputies quickly responded to the scene. The suspect was identified as Joshua Anthony Hinojos Grado, 19, from Staunton.  Grado was charged with the following:

  • 46.2-817 Felony elude law enforcement
  • 46.2-865 Misdemeanor racing
  • 46.2-862 Misdemeanor reckless driving in excess of 85 MPH
  • 46.2-862 Misdemeanor reckless driving
  • 46.2-833 Misdemeanor Fail to obey traffic signal

“The Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the quick response from the Virginia State Police, Waynesboro Police Department, Waynesboro Fire Department, and the Waynesboro First Aid Crew.”   “I would like to remind the community of the risks associated with fleeing law enforcement and reckless driving,” said Sheriff Donald Smith.

The ACSO requested the Virginia State Police to investigate the crash.  Any additional questions regarding the crash should be directed to them.