Fatal crash on Jefferson Davis Highway involving stolen police car

The Richmond Police Department is in the early stages of investigating a fatal vehicle crash involving a stolen police car this afternoon.

April 9, 2013; 7:52 AM • by Ross Catrow

Update #1 — April 9, 2013; 7:52 AM

The Richmond Police Department has identified the man who died this afternoon in a stolen police car crash as Timothy R. Howerton, 32, of the 2700 block of Walmsley Boulevard.

Just after 12:30 p.m. today, officers received a call for a wanted, armed individual in the 4700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway near the 7-Eleven. When officers arrived, the Howerton was gone, but the officer spotted him around the corner walking on Castlewood Drive.

The officer parked his car, but when he attempted to speak with Howerton, he brandished a firearm at the officer. The officer then took cover behind his police car and Howerton then stole the marked police cruiser.

Howerton then drove through a business gate and crashed into a building in the 4700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway where the vehicle caught fire and he died at the scene.

There were no other injuries.

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Original — April 08, 2013

From the Richmond Police Department:

The Richmond Police Department is in the early stages of investigating a fatal vehicle crash involving a stolen police car this afternoon.

Just after 12:30 p.m. today, officers received a call for a wanted, armed individual in the 4700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway near the 7-Eleven. When officers arrived, the individual was gone, but the officer spotted him around the corner walking on Castlewood Drive.

The officer parked his car, but when he attempted to speak with the man, he brandished a firearm at the officer. The officer then took cover behind his police car and the man then stole the marked police cruiser.

The man then drove through a business gate and crashed into a building in the 4700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway where the vehicle caught fire and the single occupant, a white male in his early 30s, died at the scene.

There were no other injuries. The building suffered minor damage.

Officers are in the process of confirming the victim’s identity and notifying next of kin. More information will be released when it’s available.