UPDATE April 1, 2021: The homicide charge against Tony Bennett was dropped in court. He is still facing other charges, and is expected to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on those June 17, 2021.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Portsmouth police have filed charges in connection to a deadly weekend crash that stemmed from a police chase.
Officers responded to a call about a domestic assault happening inside of a car on Princeton Place on Dec. 8. A car being driven by 40-year-old Tony Bennett took off when officers arrived on scene, according to police.
Police said the chase ended when Bennett crashed on Rodman and Kingman avenues.
A passenger in the car, 35-year-old Jeanne Chop, died at the hospital. Bennett was hospitalized with serious injuries following the crash.
Police said in a news release Bennett faces several charges in connection to the incident: Felony homicide, aggravated manslaughter, DUI, felony eluding, driving while revoked — 3rd or subsequent offense, no insurance, vehicle not registered and no seatbelt.
Police said Bennett had been previously wanted for assault on a law enforcement officer.
Court records show Bennett was previously charged in October after officers allegedly found him asleep at the wheel on Deep Creek Boulevard.
Officers used a taser on Bennett, who took off running before before he tripped and was taken into custody. Documents show officers found marijuana and crack cocaine in Bennett’s vehicle during that incident.
Police are asking the person who originally called 911 regarding the incident to contact the Portsmouth Police Department at 757-393-5300 or the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.