Henry County Sheriff’s deputies were in the area of Stultz Road in the Collinsville area around 10:05 a.m. on March 13, according to a release from Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis.
The deputies observed a white Chevrolet SUV traveling at a high rate of speed and traveling in the wrong lane into oncoming traffic on Stultz Road. The white SUV also matched the description of the vehicle that Gregory Yuron Campbell was alleged to be traveling in, deputies observed the driver of the vehicle and were able to identify the driver as Campbell, who was wanted in by Martinsville authorities on three counts of probation violation, with underlying charges of delinquency of a minor, child abuse and felony elude police. He was also wanted in Henry County on three counts of misdemeanor credit fraud, two counts of felony credit card larceny and one count of misdemeanor petty larceny.
Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued, with the Chevrolet allegedly continuing to travel at a high rate of speed, fleeing from county deputies, Virginia State Police, and Martinsville Police through the Collinsville, Fieldale, and Bassett communities.
The pursuit continued onto Sunset Drive in the Bassett community, where deputies located a woman on the side of the road who appeared injured. Deputies immediately stopped to check the female’s well-being, where she advised deputies that the driver of the vehicle had taken control of her vehicle when she offered him a ride, then would not let her out of the vehicle. When the vehicle’s speed slowed down on Sunset Road, she jumped from the vehicle.
Deputies briefly lost sight of the vehicle, but located it at 1171 Sunset Drive, where the vehicle had hit a retaining wall on the property. Deputies observed Campbell allegedly running on foot from the location of the vehicle.
Deputies, Virginia State Police Troopers, and a Henry County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team then engaged in a foot pursuit. Campbell was apprehended a short time later in a wooded area off of Sunset Drive, and taken into custody without any additional incident. He was transported to Sovah Martinsville Emergency Room for minor injuries, where he was treated and released. The woman was treated on scene for minor injuries by Henry County Public Safety.
Campbell, 52, of 66 Willow Ct., Martinsville, was charged with abduction by force, elude police, and hit and run attended/failure to stop — all felony counts. He was also served with the outstanding warrants from Martinsville and Henry County.
Currently, Campbell is being held in the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.
Davis said his office thanks the Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety, and the Bassett Volunteer Fire Department for their assistance with this incident.
“As your sheriff, I want to take a moment to address a paramount concern regarding high-speed pursuits. While our primary duty is to protect and serve you, we must also acknowledge the dangers that these chases can pose, not only to our officers but to innocent bystanders as well,” Davis added. “High-speed pursuits can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and even loss of life. Our commitment to apprehending violent criminals remains steadfast, but we are equally dedicated to finding a balance that prioritizes the safety of our community.
“It is our mission to use pursuit strategies that minimize risks and focus on the greater good. Henry County is a community of rules and laws, and we will not allow violent criminals to have free reign and avoid apprehension. We are constantly evaluating our policies to ensure that we uphold justice while protecting our citizens,” he wrote, adding “thank you for your trust in us.”
