RIPLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A domestic disturbance call quickly escalated into a high-speed chase and felony arrest Thursday evening, July 17, 2025, after a Ripley man fled law enforcement with two unrestrained children in his vehicle.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded around 7:00 p.m. to 74 Suite View Drive, Apartment 604, for a report of a domestic in progress. The male suspect, later identified as Dustin Adkins, had reportedly fled the scene in a gray pickup truck with extensive front-end damage.
Home Confinement Officer Willis, who had attempted to serve Adkins a previous night, spotted the vehicle near Charleston Road and Shinn Lane. Deputies set up in the area, and when Adkins saw the cruiser, he accelerated down Angel Ridge Road at high speed. Deputy Crow initiated pursuit but briefly lost sight of the vehicle.
Eventually, Adkins pulled over near Hattie View Lane, where he was stopped by Deputies Crow and Abel. Two young children — a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old — were in the vehicle, neither in proper safety restraints, according to deputies.
Adkins admitted to being involved in a verbal domestic dispute earlier and claimed he had driven off. Deputies noted visible damage to the truck, grass in the bumper, and a Four Loko can in the center console. Adkins consented to a field sobriety test, which he failed, and a breathalyzer test revealed a BAC of .132, well above the legal limit.
Adkins was taken into custody and charged with:
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Two counts of Gross Child Neglect Creating Risk of Injury or Death (§61-8D-4(c))
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Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
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Fleeing Law Enforcement
The children were transported safely to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, where they were later released to their mother.
