Manassas City police officer injured during traffic stop on PW Parkway

Manassas City Police Department
Crime Report
April 3, 2015

**Arrests**

Officer Involved Crash – Arrest [Released by Prince William County Police Public Information Office on April 3, 2015] – On April 3rd at 12:56AM, officers responded to the area of the Prince William Pkwy-bypass near Nokesville Rd in the Manassas (20110) section of Prince William County to investigate a crash involving a Manassas City police officer.

The investigation revealed that the officer made a traffic stop just outside the city limits on the Prince William Pkwy-bypass for an infraction which occurred in the city. The officer was operating a marked police cruiser with blue flashing lights activated. Both vehicles stopped along the roadway’s shoulder outside of the travel lanes when the driver of a 2000 Ford E150 approached from behind and struck the cruiser.

The force of the collision pushed the officer’s cruiser into the vehicle originally stopped and caused the officer to become entrapped. Fire and Rescue crews successfully removed the officer from the cruiser. The officer was in and out of consciousness and was flown to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Following the investigation, the driver of the Ford E150 was charged. Speed, alcohol and drug use are not factors in this collision.
          Charged on April 3rd:
The driver of the 2000 Ford E150 was identified as Peggy Durage DRAUGLIS, 79, of 205 E. Chestnut St, St Michaels, MD
          Charged with reckless driving-fail to maintain control of vehicle

The Prince William County Police Department would like to remind citizens of the “Move Over” Law in Virginia which calls for drivers to safely change lanes or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle which is stopped along the roadways in the Commonwealth.

§ 46.2-921.1. Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles on highways; penalties;
A. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light […] shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.

Anyone with information about these events is encouraged to call the Manassas City Police Department Investigative Services Division at (703) 257-8092 or Crime Solvers.  The Manassas City Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest in these cases.  The confidential 24-hour tip line is (703) 330-0330.

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