Michael Woodson Obituary, Death Cause; Police ID Midlothian Man Fatally Shot After High-Speed Chase
Michael Woodson Obituary, Death Cause – Over the weekend, authorities in Virginia confirmed the identity of a man who was fatally shot by law enforcement officers following a high-speed chase across two counties. Virginia State Police (VSP) identified the deceased as 56-year-old Michael Woodson, a resident of Midlothian.
The incident began early Saturday morning, August 16, around 5 a.m., when a state trooper attempted to pull over Woodson’s Toyota pickup truck on Route 360 in Amelia County. Police said the vehicle was displaying fictitious license plates, which prompted the initial stop. Instead of complying, Woodson accelerated and fled, sparking a dangerous pursuit.
An Amelia County sheriff’s deputy joined the chase after observing Woodson driving recklessly at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. Despite multiple attempts by both the deputy and the state trooper to stop the vehicle, Woodson refused to pull over, leading to an extended chase that moved from Amelia County into neighboring Nottoway County.
According to investigators, the pursuit came to a head when Woodson’s truck entered the intersection of Rocky Hill Road and Route 460 in Nottoway. The vehicle lost control, spun off the roadway, and crashed into a wooded area. At that point, Woodson abandoned the truck and attempted to flee on foot.
Troopers and deputies pursued him into the woods, where the situation escalated further. Authorities reported that Woodson displayed a firearm while running from officers. Faced with the armed threat, multiple law enforcement officers opened fire. Woodson was struck several times and died at the scene.
During the confrontation, a Nottoway County sheriff’s deputy was also injured. The deputy sustained a gunshot wound to the hand and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials stated that the injury was not life-threatening, and the deputy is expected to recover.
At this time, investigators have not confirmed whether Woodson fired his weapon during the incident. The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the case, reviewing evidence, and interviewing witnesses to piece together the full sequence of events.
This incident has left many questions unanswered, including what prompted Woodson to flee the initial traffic stop and why he was in possession of a firearm during the chase. Law enforcement officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that more details will be released as they become available.
Deadly encounters following police pursuits remain a serious concern for communities and law enforcement alike. The use of fictitious license plates often raises red flags for police, as they can be linked to stolen vehicles, attempts to avoid detection, or other criminal activities. In this case, what started as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated into a life-threatening confrontation.
The Virginia State Police, along with the Amelia and Nottoway County Sheriff’s Offices, continue to work jointly on the investigation. The results will likely determine whether the use of lethal force was justified under the circumstances.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Virginia State Police as the inquiry moves forward.
