Virginia deputy, 22, who claimed he was knocked unconscious and found lying in the middle of the road by a passerby, 'made it all up', according to cops

A Virginia sheriff's deputy, who was found lying in the middle of a road, has been fired for claiming that he was knocked unconscious by a suspect who drove off in an SUV, authorities said. 

According to the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, Jake Preston Dooley, 22, falsely reported that he was attacked Friday evening while attempting to remove an object from the roadway.  

In a statement released on Saturday, authorities said Dooley had been injured in a drive-by attack when he stopped at the intersection on Wilson Road to 'remove a road hazard'. 

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According to the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, Jake Preston Dooley, 22, falsely reported that he was attacked Friday evening while attempting to remove an object from the roadway

He was traveling home after his shift when the 'attack' occurred. Dooley told his department that he was walking back to his marked sheriff's office vehicle 'when he heard an approaching vehicle and heard someone yell'. 

'The deputy observed a black SUV and was then struck in the head by an object,' the statement reads. 

Around 7.15pm a passerby found the deputy lying unconscious and face down on the roadside. 

The passerby then called 911 and Dooley was taken to Fauquier Hospital.

Authorities said they were initially searching for a black SUV that continued west from Old Waterloo Road onto Wilson Road, until they figured out that Dooley had made up the entire incident.  

In a update, the sheriff's office announced criminal charges against Dooley. 

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'Detectives thoroughly and vigorously investigated (officers at the scene) the allegation and determined the incident reported by the deputy was false,' Sheriff Bob Mosier said in the statement. Mosier said he has relieved Dooley of his duties 

'Detectives thoroughly and vigorously investigated the allegation and determined the incident reported by the deputy was false,' Sheriff Bob Mosier said in the statement. 

It's unclear how investigators determined that Dooley's claims were fake, but he was subsequently relieved of his duties by Sheriff Mosier. 

'Sometimes bad things happen to good organizations. We truly regret that this happened but find a tremendous amount of comfort in the knowledge that our community understands and supports law enforcement in Fauquier County,' Mosier said. 

Authorities did not say how Dooley ended up lying in the middle of the road. It's unclear if alcohol or drugs were involved. 

Dooley, of Marshall, Virginia, has been charged with falsely summonsing law enforcement and obstruction of justice. 

He was released by a magistrate on a $10,000 unsecured bond but will be transported to a regional facility for a mental health evaluation.