March 11, 2008
Man Faces Charges in Crash
Henrico man faces for felony charges in crash at Fordson and Parham roads, in the Near West End.
Dewayne Gray Vandevander, 30, of the 2100 block of Turtle Creek Drive, was arrested at Fordson and Parham roads, police said.
The pursuit started about 8:30 p.m. on Broad Street Road in Goochland County when an officer attempted to stop a sport utility vehicle because of suspected drunken driving, police said. The chase continued on Patterson Avenue and then Parham in Henrico after officers deployed a device that deflated the front right tire of the SUV.
As the Durango approached Fordson, it rear-ended a private car and then hit a police car that blocked the SUV from turning onto Fordson. Two people in the private car were taken to VCU Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, police said.
Vandevander is charged with felony eluding police resulting in injury, felony eluding police, driving on a suspended license, driving after forfeiture of a license, misdemeanor hit and run, felony hit and run, third-offense felony driving under the influence, operating a vehicle with an expired state inspection sticker and driving without a seat belt.
I know this person, When I found out who it was I was in Shock! Dewayne had just told me about having a DUI on his record due to him not getting a job he recently applied for at Bon Secours for a Sous Chef position. But I didnt know that he was still drinking heavily or even had an expired D.L. He worked @ a local Family Restaurant on Patterson ave as a Server. I am still in Shock.
Not shocked. Way to go Dewayne.
I know this person too. Some people may NOT BE SHOCKED and some people might be. All I have to say is that my prayers are with him and his family, because battling with an addiction is NEVER EASY and some people can’t really understand that…
I have known Dewayne for a long time and this really hit me hard when I found out. He’s the nicest guy who would do anything for his friends.
He is an amazing chef. He works his butt off so he doesn’t have that much time for himself. Unfortunately, his alcohol addiction seemed to be his stress reliever and it just took over. I truly believe that he will recover from his addiction, he just needs the continuing support of his friends and family.
My prayers are with Dewayne.
Is there a way to keep updated with his sentencing? I never met his family, just took care of Fergie a few times :) Please let me know. Thanks.