THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120256
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Maria T. Rosasmartin, who was seriously injured during a police pursuit in Chesapeake Sunday afternoon, remained in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital's burn-trauma unit Monday.
A hospital spokesman said no condition report was available for Rosasmartin, 30, of the 1300 block of Ivy Trail in Chesapeake.
Rosasmartin was driving with a niece through the intersection of Volvo Parkway and Kempsville Road Sunday afternoon when a truck being pursued by police ran a red light and crashed into her 1992 Ford Taurus, police said.
Rosasmartin was airlifted to the hospital, where she was listed in serious condition Sunday night. Her 10-year-old niece, whose name was not released, was taken to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. No report on her condition was available.
Rickey N. Nelms, 23, of the 100 block of Chestnut St. in Suffolk, was in stable condition at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Monday. Police said he was driving the truck, which had been reported stolen.
Two off-duty Virginia Beach policemen said they saw Nelms fighting Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of a restaurant at Dominion Boulevard and Great Bridge Boulevard. When Chesapeake police later tried to stop the 1995 GMC truck near Chesapeake General Hospital, Nelms refused to stop and a pursuit began.
Nelms led police through several residential areas before the truck hit Rosasmartin's car. Three other autos were involved in the collision.
Nelms was charged with reckless driving, eluding police, grand larceny auto and operating a vehicle with a revoked license.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC INJURIES ARREST HIGH SPEED CHASE by CNB