Henrico man pleads guilty for leading 137 miles-per-hour chase through New Kent

A Henrico man who led a New Kent deputy on a high-speed chase that stretched more than 20 miles has pled guilty in New Kent Circuit Court.

Kenny Blad Espinoza Hernandez, 21, of the 5700 block of Trafalgar Park, entered a guilty plea to one count each of felony eluding and an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse) as part of a plea agreement reach. Two charges of reckless driving, one charge of driving with no license, and one charge of violation of pretrial services was dropped as part of the deal.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Aug. 26, 2021, in the early morning hours, a New Kent deputy was patrolling Interstate 64 eastbound at mile marker 213 when a vehicle entered the radar at 108 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. When the officer attempted to pull over the vehicle, the driver accelerated, leading to a pursuit where speeds reached as high as 137 miles per hour. Eventually, the driver pulled over at the 234-mile marker in James City County without incident. When the officer approached the vehicle, it was discovered that a juvenile was inside the car. The driver, later identified by Hernandez, was arrested for the offense.

Under the plea agreement, a presentence report is being prepared but there was no disposition decided on Hernandez’s time that he may serve. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Apr. 18.

In other circuit court proceedings:

–Dean Elliott Huckstep Jr., 39, of the 8900 block of Ellyson Terrance, Quinton, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member (originally malicious wounding) as part of a plea deal.

In a summary of evidence, on May 7, 2021, Huckstep and one of his family members were involved in a verbal altercation. The altercation then turned physical, with the defendant taking the victim’s phone. The victim walked to a nearby store and called authorities for help. When the victim returned to Huckstep’s residence, the defendant threw the victim’s phone back at them, resulting in a gash around their eye.

Under the plea agreement, Huckstep received a 12-month jail sentence with eight months suspended (four months to serve).

–Tyrese Lavell McEachern, 22, of the 600 block of W. 27th Street, Apt. 1, Norfolk, had one charge each of felony eluding of police and unauthorized use of a vehicle dropped stemming from an Oct. 14, 2000, incident. The charges were dropped as McEachern was convicted on similar charges stemming from the same offense in a different jurisdiction.

–Jessica Wright, 38, of the 5100 block of Hurop Road, Sandston, pled guilty to one count of possession of a Schedule I/II drug as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on June 22, 2021, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a request for service at the Star Motel on Pocahontas Trail after a suspicious female was reported in the area. When a deputy arrived, they noticed a female passed out in the driver’s seat of a car. Deputies tried to alert the driver before opening the door to make sure the driver was not suffering from a medical emergency. The driver, later identified as Wright, was awoken after being removed from the vehicle. One of the deputies noticed a white bag on the floor where Wright’s leg was, and the substance was later identified as heroin through laboratory tests.

Under the agreement, no formal finding was found as Wright will enter into the First Offender Program. If she successfully completes the one-year program, the charge will be dropped.