BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

TOMAHAWK — A Louisa man allegedly rammed his ATV into a cop car following a chase Friday on a dead-end road.

Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy David Adams spotted Christopher W. Ratliff, 42, driving an ATV on Spence Branch in Tomahawk and attempted to make a traffic stop.

When the officer activated his emergency equipment, Ratliff allegedly looked back and pointed to the side of the road like he was going to stop. He then proceeded to accelerate instead.

Adams pursued Ratliff onto a strip-mine road that dead-ended at a gate. After reaching the gate, Ratliff allegedly turned around to go back the way he came and rammed the front of the police cruiser.

The impact dislodged the four-wheeler’s battery, causing it to fall out and shutting the ATV off.

Ratliff was arrested and charged with all-terrain vehicle violations, failure to maintain required insurance/security, first-degree fleeing or evading police, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, and first-degree criminal mischief.