BUCKHANNON — A multi-county police pursuit that started in Upshur County ended safely on Christmas Day.
According to radio traffic and witness reports, the chase began when a man with a child left a residence in Upshur County; it ended about 30 minutes later on Emily Drive in Bridgeport. A civilian vehicle initially chased after the black Dodge car, and sheriff’s deputies and state police units became involved in the pursuit as it raced west on Route 33, hitting speeds of 90 mph.
The car then got on Interstate 79 headed north, with speeds still in the 85-90 mph range, according to police radio. Traffic was light, and the suspect was believed to have both the child and a weapon in the car.
The pursuit continued into Harrison County, and the car slowed to approximately 70 mph as it approached Exit 119. Police moved to box in the vehicle, which exited I-79 and was stopped on Route 50 near Emily Drive mid-afternoon Wednesday.
In video footage from the scene, the suspect can be seen exiting the car with his hands above his head as at least five officers approach the car with weapons raised. As the man is taken into custody, a state trooper removes a small child from the vehicle.
Additional information was not immediately available Wednesday evening.
