I-95 crash linked to drug use

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 14, 2007

GASTON – A Virginia man is facing felony drug charges after he allegedly caused a multi-car pile up here on Interstate 95, according to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.

Northampton County Sheriff’s Sergeant Lynette Clements said Jevon Demetrius Bilbro, 28, of Lorton, Va. was arrested just after midnight on Monday after he allegedly smoked Phencyclidine (PCP) and stopped his vehicle on the heavily traveled route, which caused a chain reaction crash involving four other cars.

Clements said Bilbro was traveling to Georgia on I-95 south in the right lane when he stopped his vehicle, placed it in park and turned off the lights. Four other cars traveling in the same direction then piled up behind Bilbro’s vehicle.

“Thankfully, there were no injuries,” said Clements. “It (the accident) could have been fatal.”

According to Clements’ report, Bilbro was acting erratically at the scene and one of the crash victims observed the suspect throw something on the ground when Northampton County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Corey Jackson walk up to the scene.

Jackson was able to retrieve a crumpled cigarette pack, which he opened and noticed a foul odor coming from the pack. Jackson turned over the pack to Clements when she arrived on the scene. Clements recognized the cigarettes had been dipped in PCP.

After an intoxcilizer was administered, Bilbro was transported to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office where he admitted to using PCP.

Bilbro was arrested and charged with felony possession of PCP and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling, place for a controlled substance, which carries a felony charge.

He was then placed on a $2,000 secured bond, which was raise to $10,000 after his first court appearance later on Monday.

Clements said Bilbro has been convicted of four other felonies unrelated to this incident.

Assisting officers involved on the case included Northampton County Deputy Jason Boone and Deputy Stevens. Highway Patrol Officer K. Coggins also assisted.