Second fatal chase involving Louisa deputies

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: June 9, 2008

A 36-year-old Louisa County man died Saturday night when he crashed his 1995 Ford Thunderbird on New Line Road after being chased by authorities at high speeds.

Michael Ray Duncan Jr. of Cross County Road was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of Three Chopt Road and New Line Road.

The incident is Louisa County’s second deadly police chase in the past two weeks.

On Saturday, Louisa County sheriff’s deputies were searching for Duncan in connection with allegations of domestic violence.

Authorities said, Duncan had “gone into a rage” earlier in the day and assaulted his 55-year-old mother. He told her that if she called police, he would kill her and any police officers he saw, authorities said. Duncan then took a loaded sawed-off shotgun, pointed it at his mother and threatened to shoot her, according to authorities.

However, Duncan opted not to shoot his mother and instead drove off, authorities said. After he left, his mother called the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were told to “be on the lookout” for Duncan’s Thunderbird.

At around 9 p.m., Cpl. Dustin Lowe spotted the car on Cross County Road. Lowe called for back up and attempted to stop the Thunderbird.

When Lowe turned on his flashing lights, the Thunderbird accelerated down New Line Road, hitting speeds in excess of 85 mph.

Lowe pursued the Thunderbird for roughly three miles.

Lowe could see Duncan attempting to grab his shotgun when Duncan lost control of his Thunderbird. The vehicle hit an embankment and rolled several times. Duncan and his shotgun were ejected from the vehicle into a ditch.

Emergency medical workers performed CPR on Duncan, but without success.

Duncan was a convicted felon with a history of crime in California.

Authorities believe that he was trying to “ambush” and shoot sheriff’s deputies at the intersection near the crash.

Virginia State Police are investigating the fatal police chase. The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office is also reviewing the incident.

On May 27, a Louisa sheriff’s deputy spotted a Geo Metro without license plates on Route 22. The deputy, Alonzo Arnette, chased the Geo for seven minutes at high speeds.

Shortly after crossing in Albemarle County, the Geo veered off the road and slammed into a tree. The driver, who has still not been identified, died in the fiery crash.