BUCKHANNON — A French Creek man has been arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase Wednesday night, according to a press release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office.

On December 29, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Deputy Tyler Chidester with the sheriff’s office came upon a 2001 green Subaru on the Bill Grose Road with a broken brake light.

Upon initiating emergency blue lights to pull the vehicle over for defective equipment, the driver of the vehicle accelerated rapidly. The driver of the Subaru, later identified as Joshua David Casada, 37, of French Creek, led Chidester on a high-speed pursuit on the Gould Road, Route 20, Alton Road and Grand Camp Road.

Casada reportedly crashed the vehicle into a tree on Grand Camp Road, which ended the pursuit.

According to the release, Casada sustained minor injuries from the accident and was treated and released from St. Joseph’s Hospital at about 11 p.m. Wednesday evening.

The press release says Casada had a Circuit Court capias warrant for his arrest for felony fleeing in a vehicle, fleeing on foot, failure to appear, and possession of controlled substance, methamphetamine, with intent to deliver.

“Mr. Casada faces new charges of felony fleeing with reckless indifference for the safety of others, fleeing while under the influence of controlled substance, and possession of controlled substance, methamphetamine, with intent to deliver,” the release states.

In addition, Casada was allegedly found in possession of approximately 19 grams of methamphetamine packaged in multiple small plastic bags, multiple needles, and other drug paraphernalia, according to the release.

Casada is currently lodged at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, and bail was set at $25,000 cash only. Assisting Deputy Chidester were West Virginia State Police Trooper Turansky, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Coffman, the Adrian Volunteer Fire Department and the Upshur County EMS.