PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A Portsmouth woman is facing manslaughter charges after Virginia State Police were called to investigate a fatal crash in Portsmouth on Saturday morning.
Her charge was certified to a grand jury on June 17.
Virginia State Police said the investigation revealed that around 11 a.m., officers with the Portsmouth Police Department attempted to pull over a 2015 Jeep Wrangler due to the driver being “wanted on several violations.”
Portsmouth police said she was wanted on charges of felony fraud, forgery, failure to appear in court, and driving with a suspended license.
The driver, 28-year-old Ciara Elliott, of Portsmouth, “refused to pull over and a pursuit was initiated.” Police said during the pursuit, Elliott drove through the intersection of Victory Boulevard and California Avenue and crashed into a 2013 Chrysler 200.
Police said the impact of the crash killed the driver of the Chrysler, later identified as 35-year-old Calvin Coolidge Majette III, of Portsmouth.
Police also said there were two occupants in both the Jeep and Chrysler.
Elliott, the driver of the Jeep, and her passenger, another woman, both suffered injuries not considered life-threatening. Both were transported to a local hospital.
Police said Majette died upon impact. His passenger, a woman, suffered life-threatening injuries and was also taken to a local hospital.
VSP said that Elliott has been charged with manslaughter.
Portsmouth police requested the assistance of the Virginia State Police Reconstruction Team.
This is an ongoing criminal investigation and the VSP Reconstruction Team will investigate the fatal crash. Portsmouth police will continue its investigation into the incident.