Virginia Sheriff's Deputy Charged After Being Being Pulled From Cruiser Crash

AUGUSTA, Virginia -- An Augusta County Sheriff's deputy involved in a crash early Sunday morning was charged with reckless driving after he was pulled from the wreckage.

Deputies were called to the Sheetz Gas Station located at 2870 Stuarts Draft Highway for a report of a man brandishing a firearm at a customer shortly after midnight, according to a news release.

While responding to this incident,  Deputy Michael Stogdale was involved in a single-vehicle crash in the 1000 block of Augusta Farms Road when he failed to negotiate a curve on Augusta Farms Road near Jossie Lane. His patrol vehicle went off road and rolled several times, and the deputy was trapped in his vehicle until he was extricated by emergency personnel.

Stogdale was transported to Augusta Health by the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad to be treated for his injuries.He was listed in stable condition upon arrival and was released from the hospital after being treated for a fractured arm and lacerations. 

The crash was investigated by the Virginia State Police, and Stogdale was subsequently charged with reckless driving and excessive speed was cited as the reason for the crash.

"The deputy is alive by the grace of God," officials said in a statement. "The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is extremely grateful that no one was killed in this incident."

Stogdale has been employed by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office since July 2018.