By Stephen H. Cowles
Special to the News-Herald

A Mechanicsville man has been accused of intentionally attempting to kill another man by driving his vehicle into the victim’s vehicle at a gas station, Windsor police said.

In a related matter, a detective injured during the investigation returned to work on Monday.

Pernell Randolph Jr., 46, allegedly drove his sport utility vehicle into a pickup that Kyle Francis of Carson was filling up at the Supreme Gas Station on West Windsor Boulevard on Aug. 27, Police Chief A.V. Reynolds said.

Francis was not hurt, but the impact pushed his pickup 55 feet into a sign pole. While investigating the incident about 30 minutes later, Det. G. Jernigan was near the sign and it fell, injuring his left leg. Jernigan was treated and released from Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk.

Police interviewed the victim and witnesses, reviewed camera footage and got a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle before determining there were no mechanical defects.

“We all came to the conclusion that it appears to be a very intentional act,” Reynolds said. “The footage was very beneficial.”

He said the motive for Randolph’s actions is unclear.

Warrants were issued for first-degree attempted homicide and destruction of property.

“He contacted us and voluntarily turned himself in,” said Reynolds.

Randolph is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk.