Jackson Burnley Harlow

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A drunk driver turned a family-friendly Santa Lights celebration in Virginia into a dangerous obstacle course Friday night, plowing through road closures, hitting a police cruiser, and striking an officer before speeding off again, according to Manassas City Police.

The driver, Jackson Burnley Harlow, was taken into custody after the wild crash sequence that unfolded shortly before 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 5, in Old Town Manassas, officials said.

According to police, it started when Harlow ignored officers directing traffic at West Street and Center Street during the crowded holiday event. 

Instead of stopping, the vehicle “proceeded through the intersection onto West Street,” smashing into road-closure fixtures, a parked Manassas City Police cruiser, and a uniformed officer, who suffered a minor injury.

Another officer was almost struck and had to jump out of the way, police said.

The vehicle became briefly disabled on West Street, but when officers approached, Harlow “again ignored officers’ instructions to stop the vehicle,” rapidly accelerating toward Prince William Street. 

Police say the driver even swerved onto a sidewalk and hit a street sign while trying to get away.

The chaos continued as Harlow turned left onto Prince William Street, struck more road-closure fixtures, and slammed into two additional Manassas City Police cruisers blocking the roadway before finally coming to a stop at Prince William Street and Liberty Street.

Officers converged, pulled the driver from the vehicle, and determined the driver was intoxicated, according to police.

No serious injuries were reported.

Harlow, 24, was charged with:

  • Two counts of attempted malicious wounding;
  • Disregarding law enforcement officers' signal to stop, resulting in endangerment;
  • Driving under the influence with a BAC above .20 percent;
  • Obstruction of justice;
  • Two counts of hit-and-run resulting in unaffected property damage greater than $250.

He is being held without bond.