Driver flees Hanover traffic stop, crashes in Henrico

Small fire kills 4 baby chicks at Henrico elementary school

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

A routine traffic stop in Hanover County turned into a pursuit on Saturday afternoon after a driver decided to flee. Four baby chicks died in a small fire that broke out in their chicken pen at Rivers Edge Elementary School March 10, according to the school's principal. No students or staff members were injured in the incident, which occurred well before students arrived at school Tuesday morning.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement during traffic stops, as well as the importance of proper safety measures and emergency response protocols in schools to protect students and staff.

The details

The driver fled the Hanover traffic stop and crashed in Henrico County. At Rivers Edge Elementary, a small fire broke out in the chicken pen, killing four baby chicks. No one else was injured in the incident.

  • The traffic stop incident occurred on Saturday afternoon.
  • The fire at Rivers Edge Elementary happened on March 10, before students arrived at school.

The players

Hanover County

The county where the initial traffic stop took place.

Henrico County

The county where the driver crashed after fleeing the traffic stop.

Rivers Edge Elementary School

The Henrico County elementary school where the fire in the chicken pen occurred.

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The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving, as well as the need for schools to have robust emergency preparedness plans to protect students and staff in the event of unexpected incidents.