AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — While Augusta County Sheriff’s Office deputies were responding to a malicious wounding incident during the early morning hours of Friday, July 24, 2026, they encountered a male operating a motorcycle in the area of Breezewood Drive and Pine Tree Lane. Believing the motorcyclist had just left the area of the incident, a deputy activated his emergency equipment and attempted to conduct a traffic stop at 2:15 am.

Sheriff Donald Smith reports that the motorcycle failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed onto Parkersburg Turnpike and then onto State Highway 262. The pursuit continued until the motorcycle exited onto Churchville Avenue.

In the 1400 block of Churchville Avenue, the motorcycle began slowing before coming to a stop. A deputy positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the motorcycle in an effort to prevent the driver from fleeing again. The deputy was able to take the driver into custody after making physical contact and escorting him safely to the ground.

The driver was identified as 43-year-old Aaron Kunio Coffey of Staunton.

Coffey was charged with the following offenses:

  • Felony Eluding Law Enforcement
  • Failure to Drive in the Right Lane
  • Operating an Unregistered Vehicle
  • Failure to Secure a License Plate to a Vehicle

Coffey was transported to the Middle River Regional Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has determined that Coffey was not involved in the malicious wounding incident to which deputies were initially responding. The investigation into that incident remains active.