BOONE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – One man has been arrested after asking for a ride, then stealing a vehicle, crashing it, and attempting to escape the hospital while being treated.
According to a criminal complaint, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at approximately 7:54 PM, Senior Trooper A.R. Workman was advised of a black Ford Flex bearing West Virginia Registration that was stolen from the Washington Street area of Kanawha County.
State Police Communications advised the trooper that the suspect asked for a ride to Madison before forcibly taking the vehicle.
The trooper then received an additional call from Boone County Communications along West Virginia Route 94. Boone Communications advised a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle was traveling North along Route 94 at a high rate of speed.
The trooper located the stolen vehicle along West Virginia Route 3 in the area of Drawdy Mountain. The trooper determined the vehicle’s speed to be 76 MPH in a posted 55 MPH per zone.
The vehicle then ran off the right side of the roadway and collided with a culvert shortly after passing the trooper. The trooper located Mr. James Allen Hawker seated in the driver’s position of the vehicle.
The trooper discovered that Hawker’s license status was suspended due to unpaid citations. The trooper then transported the accused to Boone Memorial Hospital for medical clearance.
While conducting a CT scan in the radiology department, Hawker attempted to flee out the front door. He was restrained and medical evaluation was continued.
A short time later, Hawker asked to use the restroom. After Hawker was escorted to the restroom, he locked the door behind him. He refused to unlock the door after several commands to do so.
The trooper then obtained a key and gained entry into the restroom. Hawker was hanging on a pipe attempting to crawl into the ceiling attempting to escape custody.
Hawker has been charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Attempted Escape, Attempted Fleeing, Driving Suspended, and Speeding. He is currently at South West Regional Jail on a $75,000 bond.
