January 26, 2012

Waynesboro police say a shoplifter fleeing the scene was was hit by a car Wednesday night at the intersection of Rosser Avenue and Lew Dewitt Boulevard.

According to Sgt. Kelley Walker, officers received a call around 8:30 p.m. about a man who was trying to steal a humidifier from a store. The 26-year-old dropped the item after he was confronted and ran from the store.

Officers caught up with the man at a nearby restaurant and began chasing him on foot toward Rosser Avenue. That's when he was struck by a 1997 Saab traveling in the northbound lane.

The suspect was taken to Augusta Health and later flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center with life threatening injuries.

The driver was not injured.