Suspect with Baby in Car Leads Police on Chase on I-495, Strikes Patrol Car

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- A Maryland man with a baby in the backseat led police on a chase Wednesday night from D.C. into Virginia that ended when he crashed into a Virginia State trooper's car near the exit for Telegraph Road, according to Virginia State Police.

At approximately 8:44 p.m., Wednesday Virginia State Police troopers responded to assist Metro Police with a pursuit that started in the District. The chase started when D.C. police stopped the driver on Gainesville Street SE in DC for an undisclosed traffic violation. At that time, at about 8:30 p.m., the driver drove off in his car after backing into a D.C. police car and then nearly hitting the officer as he fled.

The pursuit entered Virginia heading west on I-495 at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. As the suspect vehicle tried to exit, it then struck Virginia Trooper C.E. Hewitt’s patrol car. The impact of that crash caused the suspect driver to lose control and his vehicle, a 2001 Audi A6, struck the Jersey wall near Exit 176 (Telegraph Road) on I-495, according to Virginia State Police.

The Audi’s driver, Branden J. Dixon, 24, of Temple Hills, Md., was taken into custody at the scene by Metro Police. After he was taken into custody, police discovered a 1-year old baby boy in the backseat of the Audi, police said.

The child was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening, injuries. Dixon was also transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and released early Thursday.

Virginia State Police charged Dixon with one felony count of eluding police, child endangerment and for failing to have a valid operator’s license. Dixon is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Trooper Hewitt was not injured in the crash.

PHOTO: Branden Dixon photo courtesy of Fairfax County Sheriff's Office