By Carol Vaughn —
A grand jury meeting in Accomac Monday, April 4, indicted 20 people, including:
John Higgins O’Brien III, 32, of Painter, who was indicted on charges of manslaughter, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and failure to maintain the lane in connection with a Jan. 9 vehicle crash on Savageville Road that killed Julio Meneses Vasquez, 19, of Onancock.
Christopher Alan Northcraft, 34, of Brooklyn Park, Md., was indicted on a charge of felony eluding a law enforcement officer. The charges are in connection with an incident Oct. 19, 2021, when a police pursuit that began in Maryland ended when a vehicle driven by Northcraft crashed on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, resulting in he and a passenger sustaining major non-life-threatening injuries, according to a press release from the Virginia State Police.
Northcraft was indicted March 14 in Northampton County on six felony charges: two counts of possession of Schedule I or II drugs, cocaine and fentanyl; abduction of Brandy Bowen; second-degree attempted murder of Bowen; malicious wounding, resulting in severe injury; and eluding police, resulting in the endangerment of a person.
Virginia State Police were called to assist a pursuit initiated by the Maryland State Police and Pocomoke Police Department on Route 13 of a 2011 Toyota Camry on Oct. 19.
There were warrants on file in Maryland for the arrest of Northcraft and the passenger, Brandy Bowen, 35.
The vehicle was traveling at high speed with no headlights on. When it reached the Virginia state line, a Virginia State Trooper unsuccessfully attempted to stop the vehicle by deploying spike strips.
The vehicle continued traveling south on Route 13 at high speed, reaching speeds of more than 120 mph, and deputies from the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit.
When the vehicle entered Northampton County, the Virginia State Police took the lead in the pursuit.
As the vehicle neared the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, VSP notified CBBT personnel of the pursuit so they could ensure no one was in the toll lanes.
The vehicle sped through the toll plaza at around 90 mph.
CBBT police attempted to slow down the vehicle but were unsuccessful. The vehicle approached the North Channel high rise bridge, lost control, and struck a curb, spinning out of control, flipping over, and landing on its roof.
Northcraft exited through the rear window and attempted to remove Bowen from the vehicle. She was trapped inside and Northcraft attempted to flee by going over the guardrail, but fell to the ground around 30 feet below.
Allen W. Poulson, 41, of Hallwood, was indicted on charges of DWI, first offense; hit and run, obstructing justice, and dumping trash on public or private property, in connection with a Dec. 23, 2021 incident.
Also indicted were:
Uliado Galindo Aguilar Meji, 24, of Parksley, malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a malicious wounding, malicious shooting at an occupied dwelling, recklessly handing a firearm.
Gilbert Leonard Johnson, no age or address given, perjury.
Derreck Michael Robinson, 39, of Allentown, Penn., receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary, credit card larceny, grand larceny.
Alan Dublin Rodas-Merida, 33, of Greenbush, unlawfully shooting, possession of a firearm by a non-citizen, abuse and neglect of a child, and recklessly handling a firearm.
Steven John Piczak, 55, of Harborton, leaving the scene of an accident.
Levon Dinel Giddens, 44, of Accomac, failure to register as a sex offender.
Hannah Boyd, 25, of Accomac, credit card fraud, credit card larceny, embezzlement.
Michael John Szymanski, 52, of Horntown, assault and battery of a police officer.
Carlos Alberto Jordon, 20, of Chincoteague, intent to sell or distribute stolen property, grand larceny.
Dashawn Allan Smith, 24, of Exmore, credit card fraud, credit card larceny.
Yvonne Latanya Austin, 51, of Horntown, strangulation of another.
Joshua Seth Powell, 34, of Savageville, abduction, use of a firearm in commission of an abduction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Karen Garrison, 45, of Greenbackville, malicious wounding.
Joshua L. Russell, 48, of Accomac, grand larceny.
Thomas Wayne Fisher, 54, of Bloxom, assault and battery of a household member, third or subsequent offense.
Jaheem Hassan Snead, 19, of Onancock, shooting from a vehicle, shooting at an occupied vehicle, use of a firearm in the commission of a malicious shooting.
Richard Victor Arvidson, 53, of Onancock, attempted sodomy/object sexual penetration.
