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Pair charged in I-64 high-speed chase shooting was driving stolen car

Posted at 11:32 PM, Oct 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-16 23:44:27-04

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. – A man and woman from Tennessee in a stolen car are facing a number of charges after allegedly leading state police on a high-speed chase in which shots were fired at a trooper along I-64 Saturday afternoon.

Sgt. Steve Vick with Virginia State Police said a trooper tried stopping a Honda Civic clocked at 84 mph in a 70-mph zone just before 3:30 p.m. near mile marker 160 in Louisa County.

Photo shows bullet hole in cruiser’s radiator (SOURCE: Virginia State Police)

Photo shows bullet hole in cruiser’s radiator (SOURCE: Virginia State Police)

“When the Honda refused to stop and sped away in excess of 100 mph, a pursuit was initiated," Vick said. "Moments into the pursuit, the Honda’s male passenger began shooting at the trooper in pursuit. The trooper’s Ford Taurus was struck twice – once in the grill and once in passenger side mirror.”

Vick said when the female driver took the Shannon Hill Road exit in Goochland County and attempted to turn right, she lost control of the car, ran off the road and slammed into several trees.

The trooper, who was not injured, apprehended the pair. They were transported to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville with non-life threatening injuries. As of Sunday night, the couple remained in the hospital.

Vick said the driver of the car, 33-year-old Mistri Griffith of Kingsport, Tennessee, was charged with reckless driving (speed) and possession of a stolen vehicle.

The passenger, 32-year-old Paul Zamorano also of Kingsport, was charged with seven felonies -- shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, reckless handling of a firearm, maliciously shoot at occupied law enforcement vehicle, attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer, felony elude, possession of a stolen vehicle and abduction.

Investigators recovered a gun from the suspects' vehicle. Vick said the trooper did not fire his weapon during the incident.

Vick said the incident remains under investigation.

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