WHARTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A wild night in Boone County ended with a man facing a slew of serious charges after an ATV crash, reports of gunfire, and a high-speed police chase through the mountains.
At approximately 9:24 p.m., Trooper R.K. Bowers was dispatched to the scene of an ATV accident on Cow Creek Road near Wharton. Two individuals were injured — one flown by helicopter to CAMC General Hospital and another transported to Boone Memorial Hospital.
Upon arriving at the scene around 9:54 p.m., Trooper Bowers was informed by four witnesses that a man identified as Brandon Poe had been on the mountain firing a handgun into the air and in the direction of others nearby.
Just before 10:00 p.m., Trooper Bowers spotted Poe riding a camouflage-colored Yamaha ATV at a high rate of speed. When approached near a BCAA truck, Poe reportedly became irate and ignored commands to calm down, then fled the scene back onto Cow Creek Road.
A pursuit followed, with Poe accelerating to evade law enforcement. Witnesses later confirmed that the ATV he was operating was the same one involved in the earlier crash.
Further investigation revealed that Poe did not possess a valid driver’s license and was under active suspension or revocation in West Virginia. Authorities were also informed that Poe had a personal protective order against him in the State of Ohio and has prior felony convictions.
Multiple charges are now pending against Poe, including fleeing law enforcement, illegal firearm possession, and endangerment.
