A State Police Interstate Highway trooper attempted to stop a 2004 Chevrolet Impala for erratic driving on I-90 West near Exit 1, City of Albany, on Thursday, Dec. 16 at noon. The driver allegedly failed to stop and a police began a pursuit, which continued onto the State Thruway westbound.
Speeds reached 110 mph during the pursuit, said police, and the driver allegedly threw plastic bags containing an unknown substance on several instances. A second trooper joined the pursuit just before the vehicle exited at 25A.
The Impala was still traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate a curve on the exit ramp from the toll booths to I-88 and struck a tree, said police. Then the driver fled the scene on foot with three troopers continuing the pursuit on foot.
Upon capture, police identified the man as Virgil Butler, 23, of Degraff Street, Schenectady, but he allegedly resisted arrested and actively fought with troopers, said police. After one burst of pepper spray, Butler became compliant and was taken into custody, said police.
Butler was arrested for the felony charge of assault in the second degree, on a police officer, and the misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment in the second degree, evading a police officer and resisting arrest. He was also charged with several vehicle and traffic violations, said police.
Butler is currently on parole for assault on a police officer, said police.`