POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. -- A Virginia teenager has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder in connection to a crash that killed a Powhatan man. Andre T. Eanes, 18 of Rice, Virginia was arrested after Tuesday afternoon's crash on Route 60. Police were pursuing Rice when the Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving hit a 2009 Kia with Thomas R. Rutledge Jr., 73, and his wife Shannon inside. Thomas was flown to VCU Medical Center where he later died. The Tahoe had been reported stolen to the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office.
"Virginia State Police received a report of a Chevrolet Tahoe driving recklessly in the Cumberland Courthouse area. At approximately 12:44 p.m., a trooper observed the reported Chevrolet Tahoe driving 79 mph in the posted 35 mph zone. When the trooper activated his emergency lights and siren, the Tahoe refused to stop and sped away at a high speed," Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Vick said. "As the pursuit came into Powhatan County heading east on Route 60, the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office deployed a tire deflation device at the intersection of Route 60 and Route 522. As the suspect vehicle approached the intersection, it made an abrupt lane change to the right lane and struck a 2009 Kia."
Eanes, who was booked at the Piedmont Regional Jail without bond, was charged with:
Taylor Eanes
Powhatan County
- 2nd Degree Murder(Felony)
- Grand Larceny
- Felony Elude a Police Officer
Cumberland County
- Felony Elude a Police Office
- Reckless Driving 79/35mph zone
- Reckless Driving 110/55 mph zone
- Cross on a Double Yellow Line
- Fail to Drive Right of Center
- Reckless Driving-Endanger life, limb or property
Shannon G. Rutledge, 60, suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries, police said.
Angela Rose
Neighbors Praying for Victims
"Oh, I'm so sad to hear that," said Angela Rose after hearing that her neighbor, Thomas Rutledge Jr., was killed.
"You would always see him get out there and cut the grass, and everything. Ride his mower with his hat on," Rose said.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Rutledge and his wife were heading to Walmart to buy Christmas presents for their grandchildren when the tragic collision happened.
Rose said she is praying for the family and will be there to provide any help.
"She knows that if she needs anything. I'll be right there to help her when she gets home. Anytime, I'll cook for her, I'll do anything," said Rose.
WTVR CBS 6 reached out to the victims' family for comment, but has not yet heard back. As a result, there has been no word yet on Shannon Rutledge's condition.
Crash Scene
