Actions

Son dies when father crashes SUV during police chase

Posted at 4:09 PM, Mar 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-30 19:17:28-04

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. -- Charrie Childs can’t fathom why Darryl Rusten allegedly refused to stop when a Caroline County Sheriff’s Deputy tried to pull him over on Tuesday night.

The Caroline Sheriff’s Office said the deputy clocked Rusten going 80 miles per hour in a 55.

Deputies said an ensuing chase reached speeds up to 120 miles per hour.

Darryl Rusten

Darryl Rusten

It ended when Rusten ran off Route 17 in Essex County and struck a tree.

Also inside the SUV were Rusten’s children.

His ten-year-old step-daughter was flown to the VCU Medical Center with Rusten to be treated for injuries.

Rusten’s 22-year-old son Darryl Farmer died at the scene.

Carrie Childs used to work at a grocery store in Ruther Glen with Farmer.

Darryl Farmer

Darryl Farmer

“He was so nice and would help you out in any way he could, very respectful,” Childs said.

She said she just saw Farmer on Monday at a nearby Family Dollar.

“Just asked me how I was doing cuz he hadn’t seen me in a long time,” Childs said.

Caroline Deputies said Rusten was driving despite having a suspended license.

Caroline Court records show Rusten was found guilty of driving without a license three times since 2013.

Court records in Maryland show several additional driving without a license charges placed there against Rusten, but many of those were nolle prosequi’d.

Still, he was found guilty there of failing to display a license.

Carrie Childs

Charrie Childs

Childs said she does not understand why this time, he allegedly decided to flee.

“Like I said you don’t know what goes through people’s minds,” Childs said.

Police have not charged Rusten yet, but they expect to do so soon.

He remains in serious condition at the hospital.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.