By Shawn Henry 
A police pursuit in West Virginia ended in tragedy Thursday afternoon when a fleeing driver in a stolen SUV slammed into another vehicle on Interstate 64, killing a 52-year-old woman who had no connection to the chase. Authorities say the suspect, 22-year-old Joseph R. Elswick Jr., attempted to outrun deputies in a stolen 2025 Jeep Cherokee before losing control after driving through spike strips deployed by law enforcement. The crash killed Angela Born, a Kanawha County resident known locally for operating a strawberry farm and bed-and-breakfast property.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 2:37 p.m. when deputies received a report that Elswick had stolen his grandmother’s Jeep Cherokee and her purse. Investigators reported that the grandmother also warned deputies that Elswick might have been armed. Law enforcement located the SUV roughly ten minutes later and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over and accelerated away, initiating a high-speed pursuit through multiple roadways in the region.
Authorities reported the chase escalated quickly as the stolen Jeep accelerated to speeds approaching 120 miles per hour. Deputies continued tracking the vehicle as it moved toward Interstate 64 eastbound near Milton. The pursuit transitioned onto the interstate, where officers attempted to bring the situation to a controlled stop by deploying spike strips near mile marker 34.
Investigators determined the Jeep struck the spike strips at highway speed. Despite the tire damage, authorities say Elswick continued attempting to flee as the SUV traveled another half mile along the interstate. With the tires compromised, control of the vehicle deteriorated rapidly. Law enforcement reported that the suspect ultimately lost control of the Jeep in active traffic.
The fleeing SUV then collided with a vehicle driven by Angela Born. The impact was severe enough that Born’s vehicle caught fire following the crash. Emergency responders arrived on scene, but Born was pronounced dead at the location. Officials confirmed she had been traveling normally on the interstate when the fleeing vehicle entered her path.
The crash immediately transformed what began as a vehicle theft and police pursuit into a fatal incident involving an uninvolved driver. Authorities identified Born as a longtime member of the community and the operator of a strawberry farm and bed-and-breakfast property in Kanawha County. She was also the mother of six children, according to local officials familiar with her business and family.
Law enforcement officials placed responsibility for the fatal crash squarely on the driver who initiated the chase by fleeing in the stolen SUV. Investigators reported that Elswick’s decision to run from deputies at extreme speeds created the chain of events that ended with the fatal collision. The pursuit, which unfolded in the middle of the afternoon on a busy interstate corridor, left little margin for error once the suspect lost control of the vehicle.
Elswick survived the crash and was taken into custody following the incident. Authorities charged him with aggravated vehicular homicide and fleeing with reckless indifference. Investigators indicated additional charges could be filed depending on the results of pending toxicology tests and the continued review of evidence related to the pursuit and crash.
The collision also triggered intense reaction across the community and online platforms where video of the aftermath circulated shortly after the incident. Many commenters expressed anger and frustration over the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the spike strip deployment on an active interstate. Several individuals questioned whether the tactic should have been used in traffic conditions where other drivers were present.
Online discussion quickly focused on the danger posed by a vehicle traveling at triple-digit speeds with damaged tires. Many observers pointed to the reality that tire failure at highway speeds can severely reduce steering and braking capability. When that loss of control occurs in traffic, the risk to other drivers rises sharply as vehicles struggle to maintain stability.
Community members familiar with the area also weighed in on the debate, saying the crash has become a topic of discussion across town. Residents reported that locals have been questioning whether the timing and location of the spike strip deployment increased the risk to surrounding drivers on the interstate. Others said the primary issue remains the suspect’s decision to flee at extreme speeds in a stolen vehicle.
Regardless of the debate surrounding the tactics used during the pursuit, investigators have made clear that the criminal act that triggered the incident began with the theft of the Jeep and the decision to run from law enforcement. Authorities reported that once Elswick accelerated away from deputies and reached speeds near 120 miles per hour, the situation escalated into a dangerous pursuit that unfolded across public roads.
Fatal crashes during police pursuits remain among the most dangerous scenarios for both officers and the public because they involve high speeds and unpredictable driver behavior. In this case, investigators determined the suspect continued attempting to escape even after the vehicle’s tires were damaged, leading directly to the loss of control that caused the deadly collision.
The investigation into the crash remains active as authorities continue reviewing evidence from the pursuit and collision scene. Officials are also examining video footage and witness accounts from drivers who were traveling on Interstate 64 at the time of the crash.
Elswick remains in custody facing multiple felony charges tied to the incident. Court proceedings are expected as prosecutors pursue the aggravated vehicular homicide case connected to Born’s death. Authorities confirmed the investigation remains ongoing as they continue documenting the full sequence of events that unfolded during the pursuit and crash.
Source
Eve Nowell