VSP: Man escapes through storm drain after hitandrun on I495 in Fairfax County
Jan 07, 2025
FAIRFAX COUNTY Va. (DC News Now) -- Virginia State Police (VSP) are searching for a man who fled the scene of a crash on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County by entering a storm drain Monday.
State police said the incident happened on Jan. 6 around 2:40 p.m., as troopers were working on two separate crashes along I-495 near Eisenhower Avenue when a third collision took place.
VSP said the state trooper investigating the third crash directed the two vehicles involved to move to the right shoulder. Shortly after, one of the drivers, a man, sped away from the scene.
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During the brief chase on the interstate, VSP said the man was involved in another crash. That's when he allegedly exited his vehicle and started running.
According to state police, the man ran into a wooded area and went down a small drainage underneath the interstate, which connected the eastbound side.
As the search continued, troopers found the man crawling inside an 18-inch diameter pipe. VSP said the man refused to stop and kept crawling inside the pipe.
As a result of the incident, several troopers were stationed across nearby drain covers.
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About three hours later, troopers discovered a storm drain opening about three blocks from the entry point. A witness told authorities they noticed someone exiting the manhole 30 minutes earlier.
State police identified the man as 38-year-old Victor A. Caneza.
VSP obtained warrants for his arrest on felony hit-and-run and felony eluding charges.
Anyone with information on Caneza's whereabouts is urged to call VSP at 804-750-8798.