A Blacksburg man whose car concealed marijuana in the wheel wells was charged with the attempted first-degree murder of a police officer after leading Virginia State Police on a high-speed chase Wednesday morning, police said.

Trooper J.T. Thomas pulled over the driver of a Saab, identified as Alejandro Juan Oceguera, near Interstate 81 mile marker 110 for an improper lane change, according to Sgt. Michael Conroy.

Oceguera, 31, pulled over but then took off, Conroy said. Thomas pursued the Saab at speeds up to 100 mph.

Thomas was forced into a guardrail when the Saab cut off a tractor-trailer, Conroy said.

Later, the Saab veered into the median heading into southbound traffic and struck another unmarked state police car that had joined in the pursuit, Conroy said. That crash about 10:30 a.m. caused traffic to back up for several miles on southbound I-81. No one was injured.

Five pounds of marijuana was found in the Saab's wheel wells, Conroy said.

Oceguera was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, eluding police, transporting marijuana into the state, reckless driving and failure to give a proper signal, Conroy said.

-- Shawna Morrison