Cary woman charged with hitting, killing man during chase in Virginia

Virginia State Police say a Cary woman hit and killed a man during a chase.

Christine S. Barnette, 41, was charged with breaking and entering, reckless driving, defrauding an innkeeper, eluding police, trespassing and vehicular homicide.

Authorities said the incident started in Halifax County, Virginia, when Barnette was found by park rangers inside an unoccupied, unrented cabin in Staunton River State Park. Barnette left the cabin, got in her car and was pursued by park rangers.

As Barnette left the state park, deputies from the Halifax County (Va.) Sheriff's Office joined the chase and tried to block her vehicle. It did not work, Barnette hit a deputy's vehicle and escaped.

Barnette's car was located again just before 1 p.m. in Martinsville, Virginia. Authorities said Martinsville police officers attempted to stop the car but Barnette would not stop.

Around 1:18 p.m., while being pursued on Route 58 in Patrick County, Virginia, authorities said Barnette's car crossed the median and hit another car. The driver of the other car, Bobby Wayne Gammons, 81, of Mount Airy, died at the scene of the crash.

Barnette was also injured and was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Authorities did not release additional information about her injuries.