Police chase through three counties ends near Rock Cave

A police chase that originated at a McDonald’s in Braxton County came to an end just south of Rock Cave Wednesday morning, according to a press release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office:

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at approximately 10:30 a.m., deputies with Braxton County Sheriff’s Office observed a 2022 white Mercedes in the parking lot of McDonald’s which had been stolen out Weston, W.Va. in the early morning.

The Braxton County Units attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled north on US 19. A pursuit then pursued. Lewis County Units were notified and responded to the Ireland area to intercept the vehicle at the intersection of Route 19 and Route 4.

The vehicle turned north on Route 4 toward Rock Cave. Upshur County Sheriff’s units at that time positioned themselves just south of Rock Cave on Route 4. As the vehicle approached, stop sticks were deployed, which punctured the two left tires of the suspect vehicle.

At that time, Upshur County Sheriff’s units and State Police joined in the pursuit, which continued onto Route 20 south for approximately a mile south of Rock Cave, where the suspect lost control of his vehicle and struck an oncoming vehicle and the guardrail when coming to rest.

The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and a taser was deployed.

The suspect was identified as Christopher Bills, 28, of Clarksburg. Mr. Bills will be charged with fleeing with reckless indifference, possession of stolen goods, and fleeing while DUI.

The following units responded: Braxton County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Braxton County State Police, Upshur County State Police, and Lewis County State Police. Assisting at the scene: Banks District Ambulance, Banks District Fire Deptartment and Upshur County EMS.