Capital Beltway Driver Fleeing Crash During Winter Storm Sought By State Police

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As state police investigate a number of crashes during the winter storm, a driver who fled a crash scene on the Capital Beltway in the Alexandria area is sought.

State police had been investigating two crashes around 2:40 p.m. Monday when a third crash happened on the eastbound Capital Beltway in the area of Eisenhower Avenue. The crash happened behind the two other crashes, and a state trooper directed vehicles to move from the left shoulder to the right shoulder.

Both drivers were instructed to remain in their vehicles as the investigation occurred. However, one driver drove off at a high speed, leading to a pursuit by state police.

The suspect vehicle had another crash less than a mile down the Beltway. State police say the driver fled his vehicle and ran across the eastbound and westbound lanes of the Beltway and entered a wooded area and drainage area. State troopers found the suspect crawling in a drainpipe, and he did not follow state police commands in English and Spanish.

State police said the pursuit got difficult when the pipe narrowed to an 18-inch diameter. State police were sent to nearby drain covers to cover potential exits. A Fairfax County Police drone used in the drainpipe had signal interference. After three hours, state troopers found a drainpipe about a half mile from the suspect's entry point, and a bystander said a person had exited through a manhole about 30 minutes prior.

State police are seeking the suspect, Victor A. Caneza, 38, on charges of felony hit and run, felony eluding, misdemeanor eluding, driving without an operator’s license, providing false identification to law enforcement, no state vehicle inspection, improper vehicle registration, expired state vehicle registration, and driving with an open container.

Anyone with information may contact the state police Division 7 dispatch at 804-750-8798 or email Virginia State Police at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.