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Motorcycle driver involved in I-81 crash in Smyth County
SPorter
When the crash occurred, many people feared the motorcycle driver had been killed when he wrecked on Interstate 81. However, according to the Virginia State Police, he sustained minor injuries.
The single-vehicle crash occurred on Friday, April 10, at 9:21 p.m. near the 40-mile marker in Smyth County.
A VSP report said the “motorcycle, which was eluding a Virginia State Police trooper, attempted to pass a second Virginia State Trooper, using the left shoulder to do so. The motorcycle then lost control and wrecked.”
The driver of the motorcycle, Brayan L. Rodriguez Nino, 34, of Ashburn, was taken to an area hospital but was later released.
Rodriguez Nino has been charged with reckless driving, driving without a license, and failure to maintain control of a vehicle, the VSP said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Saltville man faces multiple drug charges
SPorter
Christopher Dewayne Breedlove
Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office
Some of the items the Washington County Sheriff's Office
reported finding in Christopher Breedlove's vehicle.
Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office
What began as concern about a man’s safety led to the arrest of a Saltville man on two drug charges and the seizure of significant quantities of what is believed to be illegal drugs.
On April 8, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy M. Riley responded to a call at Love’s Travel Stop regarding an unresponsive driver.
Upon arrival, Riley found the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Christopher Dewayne Breedlove, 45, of Saltville. The individual declined medical treatment and said he had been asleep.
During the encounter, the deputy confirmed that Breedlove had an active capias from Smyth County for failure to appear.
While speaking with the deputy, Breedlove admitted to having marijuana inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a significant quantity of suspected marijuana, along with additional suspected illegal substances.
Breedlove was taken into custody without incident. A search of his person and vehicle resulted in the seizure of multiple controlled substances, including suspected marijuana, mushrooms, and other unidentified narcotics, as well as drug paraphernalia and packaging materials.
Following the investigation, Breedlove was transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. A Washington County magistrate issued felony warrants, which were served along with the outstanding Smyth County capias.
Breedlove has been charged under the Code of Virginia with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and two counts of possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance.
Breedlove is currently being held on a $3,500 secured bond. Additional charges may be pending laboratory analysis of the seized substances.
This is not Breedlove’s first time facing drug charges.
Smyth County Circuit Court online records show that in 2004 Breedlove was convicted of obtaining drugs by false pretense and in 2009 a charge of possessing Schedule II controlled substance with the intent to distribute was not prosecuted.
This year, in Smyth County District Court, he has faced two charges of driving while his license is revoked.
News
CenterpieceTop Story
Smyth supervisors honor emergency dispatchers
SPorter
Supervisor Courtney Widener, center, presents a resolution
honoring their work to Smyth County public safety
communicators.
SPorter / Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Emergencies can occur at any moment. Often the first people who those in crisis talk to are emergency dispatchers. They are the ones who direct law enforcement, fire and/or emergency medical services to the scene to protect life and property.
Dispatchers, also known as public safety communicators, also play a critical role in the safety of those who answer the calls, especially in ensuring that they get quality and accurate information about the need they’re answering.
According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, in 2025, Virginia’s emergency telecommunicators answered over 4 million 9-1-1 calls.
Thursday evening, the Smyth County Board of Supervisors recognized the vital work of this community’s dispatchers. They unanimously adopted a resolution declaring April 12-18 as National Public Safety Communicator Week in Smyth County.
In the resolution, they acknowledged the role dispatchers play in public safety and said they “are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and… Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our law enforcement officers and firefighters by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety.”
The document also noted that dispatchers play a key role in the “apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients in need; and… each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year.”
“Every day, Virginia’s public safety telecommunicators serve as the steady voice in moments of crisis providing reassurance, gathering critical information, and ensuring help is on the way,” said VDEM State Coordinator John Scrivani. “During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we recognize their professionalism, dedication, and the vital role they play in keeping our communities safe across the commonwealth.”
VDEM specifically recognized its Situational Awareness Unit telecommunicators who assist in coordinating state resources to aid localities during public safety emergencies.
VDEM encouraged all Virginians to express their gratitude to the telecommunicators who serve their communities with dedication and excellence.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Marion Mayor Avery Cornett swears in new MPD officers Chris
Parks and Nathan Sherwood.
Page A3
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Marion Mayor Avery Cornett swears in new MPD officers Chris
Parks and Nathan Sherwood.
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