BUCKHANNON – A Barbour County man was arrested over the weekend after allegedly fleeing from an officer in an ATV while intoxicated.

Isaac Prichard, 28, of Junior W.Va., was arrested Saturday for fleeing while driving under the influence, a felony.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Upshur County Sheriff’s Deputy T.R. Collins, on Saturday, July 22, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Collins observed an ATV traveling on Stoney Run Road towards Brushy Fork Road, and Collins turned his cruiser around to follow the ATV. He subsequently observed the driver, later identified as Prichard, allegedly veering into the opposite lane of traffic and failing to stop before turning onto Brushy Fork Road.

Collins activated his emergency lights and siren, indicating to Prichard that he was being pulled over. According to the report, Prichard allegedly continued to operate the ATV at a high rate of speed on Brushy Fork Road, traveling at approximately 67 mph at one point. Prichard eventually stopped near 3667 Brushy Fork Road and pulled into a random driveway.

Police ordered him off the ATV, and Prichard complied and was handcuffed.

Collins immediately noticed that Prichard had glassy, bloodshot eyes; slurred speech; and an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from him, according to the report. He then allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he had consumed a six-pack of Coors Light right before operating his ATV, the complaint states.

Collins administered several field sobriety tests to Prichard that showed signs of impairment, including lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes, unable to follow directions, improper turn, etc., according to the file.

After Prichard declined to perform the roadside PBT test, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. During the transport to the Sheriff’s Office, Collins noted in the report that his cruiser had an odor of an alcoholic beverage that was not there prior to sitting Prichard in the back seat.

Once at the office, Prichard performed an approved secondary test and yielded BAC results of .130%.

Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder set bail at $25,000 cash only.

The penalty for a conviction of fleeing while DUI is imprisonment in the state penitentiary for not less than three nor more than 10 years.