MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A woman was taken into custody Monday night after troopers say she ignored a roadblock at an active crash scene and led officers on a pursuit that forced a medical helicopter to shut down its engines.
According to West Virginia State Police, the incident happened around 10:16 p.m. on February 16, 2026, at the intersection of West Virginia Route 10 and Reese Harmon Ridge Road, where emergency crews were working a crash.
Troopers report a gray Acura SUV drove past two marked State Police cruisers blocking the roadway, entered the active scene, and then pulled onto Route 10 while allegedly ignoring a posted stop sign. Authorities say firefighters, additional troopers, and a wrecker operator were all present in the area at the time.
Police activated emergency lights and sirens, but the vehicle continued south on Route 10 toward Kegley at speeds of about 55 to 60 miles per hour, according to the report.
The pursuit continued toward the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and Route 10, where the roadway had been closed to establish a landing zone for a medical evacuation helicopter. Officials say multiple fire trucks, ambulances, and stopped civilian vehicles were in the roadway, and the helicopter had already landed.
Investigators say the suspect vehicle then drove along the right shoulder, passing stopped traffic and heading toward the helicopter landing zone. Mercer County Sheriff’s Department Captain Sommers, who was assisting at the scene, performed a PIT maneuver near Broken Arrow Drive, bringing the vehicle to a stop.
The driver, identified as Sherri Mitchem, was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities said the approaching pursuit forced the medical helicopter to shut down its engines for safety.
