BARBOUR COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A routine traffic stop in Barbour County escalated into a violent confrontation after a Philippi man allegedly drove impaired, assaulted a West Virginia State Police trooper, threatened to kill the officer, and attempted to spit on multiple law enforcement and correctional officers.
According to the West Virginia State Police, the incident occurred on July 17 while a trooper was patrolling U.S. Route 119 in Philippi.
The trooper reported observing a gray pickup truck abruptly stop in the roadway near the turning lane leading to the hospital without warning other motorists. After emergency lights were activated, the driver allegedly pulled away, made an unsafe lane change, and was slow to stop before pulling onto Hickory Corner Road.
When the trooper approached the vehicle, investigators say they immediately detected the odor of alcohol and marijuana coming from both the driver and the truck. The driver was also allegedly not wearing a seat belt.
According to the complaint, the driver was unable to produce his driver’s license and instead began making a phone call, during which the trooper reportedly heard him say, “Come get my truck. I’m going to jail.”
While speaking with the driver, the trooper observed an open bottle of Corona Extra in the front passenger seat. After the driver exited the vehicle, he allegedly had difficulty maintaining his balance.
Deputy Kennedy conducted an ARIDE impairment evaluation before standardized field sobriety tests were administered. Police say the driver displayed multiple signs of impairment during each test.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. During the arrest, he allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana and told officers there might still be marijuana inside the truck.
A probable cause search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a container holding a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, along with a second open bottle of Corona beer inside the passenger compartment.
Authorities say the situation quickly turned violent after the driver was placed inside the patrol cruiser.
According to the complaint, the defendant repeatedly kicked department-issued equipment inside the cruiser, damaging a driver’s license scanner and striking the trooper in the arm and hand. As the trooper attempted to restrain him, the man allegedly continued kicking and kneeing the officer, striking him in the leg, chest, ribs, and arms before attempting to headbutt him.
Because of the defendant’s continued aggressive behavior, he was transferred into Deputy Kennedy’s patrol vehicle for transport.
At the Barbour County Courthouse, the defendant allegedly refused multiple requests to submit to a breath test after being advised of West Virginia’s Implied Consent law.
While in custody, investigators say the defendant threatened to find the trooper’s home address after his release and “finish you.” Police say he also made additional threats directed at the trooper, the officer’s wife, and the officer’s mother.
Authorities allege the threats were made in retaliation for the traffic stop, DUI investigation, arrest, and request for a chemical breath test.
The defendant reportedly remained combative during transport to Tygart Valley Regional Jail, where he allegedly refused to comply with correctional officers and attempted to spit on four correctional officers, a nurse, Deputy Kennedy, and the arresting trooper.
The man now faces numerous charges stemming from the incident, including driving under the influence, obstructing an officer, assaulting a law enforcement officer, making terroristic threats, refusal of a secondary chemical test, and other related offenses.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations contained in the complaint are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
