HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A Rocky Mount woman was arrested Monday after a hit-and-run crash led to a police search, an armed confrontation and the stabbing of a Henry County Sheriff’s Office K-9.

It all stemmed from a hit-and-run crash on Greensboro Road near Wendy’s and the William F. Stone Highway on-ramp in Ridgeway which crews were dispatched to at around 12:37 p.m.

No injuries were reported in the crash.

The Henry County Department of Public Safety and Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash scene.

Virginia State Police told rbs news now at the scene that troopers had identified a potential suspect involved in the hit-and-run based on witness statements.

Following the crash, a witness called 9-1-1 and provided information about a suspect who had fled the scene on foot.

At approximately 2:35 p.m., troopers and Henry County deputies located a woman in a wooded area near Virginia Avenue in the area of Dodge’s Store, according to Virginia State Police First Sgt. Marvin C. Davis III.

The sheriff’s office said law enforcement repeatedly attempted to de-escalate the situation and gain the woman’s compliance.

During the encounter, the woman produced an edged weapon believed to be a box cutter or razor-style knife and threatened law enforcement officers with violence.

Less-lethal impact munitions were deployed in an attempt to gain compliance, but authorities said those efforts were unsuccessful.

Henry County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Zajo was then deployed to assist officers in taking the woman into custody.

During the apprehension, authorities said the woman stabbed Zajo multiple times, causing a puncture wound near the head and eye area and facial lacerations.

The injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, and Zajo was transported for veterinary treatment.

The Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety, Bassett Rescue Squad and Fieldale-Collinsville Rescue Squad also responded to the area.

A landing zone was established at Day Star Ministries Church on Virginia Avenue.

Taran Irene Maddy, 43, was taken into custody and airlifted to a trauma center for evaluation and treatment of injuries sustained from the less-lethal munitions and K-9 bites, according to the sheriff’s office.

Maddy was charged with:

• Assault on law enforcement
• Injuring a police animal
• Obstruction of justice

Sheriff Wayne Davis commended the state troopers and sheriff’s deputies involved in the incident.

“Our deputies and the Virginia State Police made every effort to de-escalate this situation and gain compliance before the K-9 was deployed,” Sheriff Davis said. “Unfortunately, the suspect chose to threaten law enforcement and injured one of our K-9s. I am thankful for the professionalism displayed by everyone involved and for the assistance of the witness who quickly contacted 911 and provided valuable information.”

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