Virginia State Police seek information on Interstate 64 shooting 20 years ago in New Kent

Virginia State Police’s (VSP) Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s (BCI) Richmond Field office continues to pursue new leads and tips to an unsolved 1999 homicide of a Mechanicville teenager in New Kent.

On Aug. 8, 1999, Sara Bruehl and two friends were shot at while traveling on Interstate 64 near Exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge). Unfortunately, Bruehl, who was the driver, was shot and killed prior to her crashing the vehicle. The 18-year-old female front-seat passenger was shot but survived her injuries. The 17-year-old female back seat passenger survived injuries resulting from the crash. All three were recent graduates of Atlee High School in Hanover.

The VSP said that a 1999 Nissan Altima Bruehl had rented to drive to Virginia Beach received several rounds of ammunition from a suspect. The suspect was described as a light-skinned African-American or Hispanic male, with dark eyes and a goatee. The suspect was driving a small, red car with tinted windows and halogen lights. According to witness statements from the incident, Bruehl and the red car engaged in a “cat-and-mouse” game of speeding, changing lanes over a 20-mile stretch on Interstate 64 while traveling eastbound.

“We know there are people out there today, even 20 years later, who know who was responsible for taking this young girl’s life and injuring her friends,” said Captain Tim Ring, VSP BCI Richmond Field Office Commander. “State police is still committed to the identifying this individual and bringing him to justice. We owe it to Sara and her family to solve this case once and for all.”

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Virginia State Police at #77 on a cell phone, by calling 1-800-552-9965, or via email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.