MOUNT HOPE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County man is facing numerous charges after allegedly leading West Virginia State Police on a high-speed motorcycle chase that ended with a patrol cruiser being struck and the suspect fleeing on foot.
According to the West Virginia State Police, the pursuit began at approximately 9:25 p.m. on Monday, July 6, when Senior Trooper N.T. Warden observed a black motorcycle turning onto Legends Highway (WV Route 16) in Mount Hope. Troopers reported the motorcycle displayed no visible registration, and the rider accelerated rapidly upon spotting law enforcement.
Troopers activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but the rider allegedly refused to stop and sped south on Route 16 toward Bradley.
Police said the rider, later identified as Robert Dotson, 26, reached speeds of up to 90 mph, crossed the center line multiple times, and continued through the Bradley city limits at speeds ranging from 60 to 90 mph.
The pursuit came to an end near the intersection of Route 16 and North Sand Branch when Dotson allegedly struck a West Virginia State Police cruiser and a guardrail before abandoning the motorcycle and fleeing on foot.
Troopers located and arrested Dotson after he allegedly attempted to hide in nearby bushes.
According to the criminal complaint, officers found drug paraphernalia and a half-empty bottle of Lord Calvert liquor on Dotson. Troopers also reported he had slurred speech, appeared impaired, was stumbling, and had difficulty standing without assistance.
Investigators determined the motorcycle, a 2004 Honda, displayed an expired license plate that had been bent to make it unreadable from behind. Police also discovered the motorcycle was not insured.
A records check revealed Dotson’s driver’s license had been revoked following a previous DUI conviction that became effective in November 2019.
Dotson was arrested and charged with:
- Fleeing with reckless indifference
- Fleeing while driving under the influence
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Driving while revoked for DUI
- Improper display of registration
- Expired registration
- No insurance
- Three counts of fleeing on foot
- Three counts of obstructing an officer
Police said Dotson refused to submit to a secondary chemical breath test. Troopers subsequently obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, which was executed shortly after midnight on July 7 at Raleigh General Hospital to determine his blood alcohol content and the possible presence of narcotics.
Following processing, Dotson was transported to Southern Regional Jail to await proceedings in Fayette County Magistrate Court.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Dotson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
