BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested over the weekend after allegedly fleeing from the police in a vehicle in southern Upshur County.
Lonnie Scott, 48, was arrested for driving with reckless indifference and driving while license revoked for DUI, third offense, both felonies.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s filed by investigating officer Deputy Joseph Barcus with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, on Saturday, March 7 at approximately 9:22 p.m., Barcus was on DUI patrol, traveling south on Route 20 in Upshur County.
While traveling south into the Adrian community, Barcus allegedly observed a black Mercedes in front of him cross the center line and travel completely into the northbound lane. Barcus then initiated his emergency lights and sirens to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle.
According to the report, upon activating his lights and sirens the vehicle continued traveling south and did not stop. Barcus then notified the E911 Upshur County Communication Center that he was in pursuit of the vehicle. Upon approaching the intersection of the Alton Road, the vehicle allegedly rapidly accelerated and reached speeds of up to 75 mph and at one point passed three vehicles, crossing the double yellow line.
According to the report, the vehicle continued to flee at speeds up to 92 mph before approaching the Beechtown Road intersection. Approximately a quarter-of-a-mile past the intersection, the vehicle pulled over to the right shoulder and stopped.
After the vehicle stopped, Barcus exited his patrol vehicle, drew his service weapon and began giving loud verbal commands for the driver – later identified as Scott – to exit the vehicle. Barcus then directed Scott to get down on the ground and place his hands on his back, and he again complied. Scott was placed in hand restraints without incident and transported to the Sheriff’s Department to be processed.
At the office, Barcus discovered that Scott’s driver’s license was revoked for DUI with two prior convictions for driving revoked for DUI. Both prior convictions were on Aug. 23, 2018, according to the file.
Bail was set at $40,000.
If convicted of fleeing with reckless indifference, Scott faces a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $2,000 and confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years. If convicted of driving revoked for DUI third offense, Scott would face a penalty of confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than one nor more than three years and a fine of not less than $3,000 nor more than $5,000.
