Police arrested a northern Virginia woman Saturday evening after she allegedly drove approximately five miles while intoxicated along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
Mehak Chopra, 28, of McLean, was charged with driving while intoxicated, felony hit-and-run and refusal to take a blood alcohol test.
Fairfax County police say Chopra drove her 2005 Toyota onto the trail in the area of Reston at a high rate of speed for five miles. About 8:30 p.m., Chopra struck a 65-year-old Vienna man who was riding his bicycle on the trail, police said.
Investigators said the car struck the man's bike from behind without slowing down. The rider was thrown from the bike and landed on the shoulder of the trail.
Vienna Patch reported that the man, whose name has not been released, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was recovering at a local hospital.
While Chopra was driving on the trail, Vienna Police reported receiving several calls from people who were almost struck and had to jump to get out of the car's way. One witness told Vienna Patch that the car was "doing about 40 [miles per hour]."
The vehicle continued through Vienna in the direction of Tysons Corner before it was stopped by an officer in the 300 block of Maple Avenue.
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There are several fiber glass dividers set up on the trail, marking more than 70 street crossings, like the one Chopra barreled through Saturday.
"Generally it's very safe out here, people are very courteous," a bicyclist told News4.
Chopra is being held without bond. She will appear in court next month and again in August.
