Bridgeport Police Chief Mark Rogers, who also became involved in the pursuit, said the suspect in question saw patrol officers attempt to pull over the suspect with attempted lights and sirens before taking off. The driver of the vehicle who was eventually arrested was 46-year-old Michael Knight of Flemington.

 

Rogers said the suspect went from downtown Bridgeport to U.S. Route 50 and the intersection with Lodgeville Road. Upon entering Lodgeville, Rogers said the individual turned onto Tolley Drive, circled the area where the hotels are located and ended up with his truck between two cruisers.

 

“At that point, the suspect began ramming the cruisers,” said Rogers.

 

Eventually, the individual made their way back to Route 50  East, drove through the city, and turned off onto Route 776 and eventually Route 119 in Taylor County  where the pursuit was joined by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.

 

After traveling at times at speeds of 70 to 80 miles per hour in 55 mile per hour areas, Rogers said the suspect ended up on Route 50 West. Eventually, he came to a stop near Toothman Ford. 

 

“We were able to talk him out of the vehicle and there was no incident,” said Rogers. “There’s no inkling at this time what led to the incident, but assume there could be underlying issues.”

 

Rogers said a search was obtained to rule out the possibility of intoxication. He also said along with the issues that took place in Bridgeport that led to the pursuit and high speed that Taylor County law enforcement also observed him driving recklessly.

 

Rogers said the suspect is currently facing a charge of fleeing with reckless indifference in Taylor County. In Bridgeport, Rogers said he will face charges of reckless indifference and felony destruction of property.

 

“I would safely say the damage to the vehicles are in the thousands of dollars,” Rogers said. “One of the vehicles is inoperable … The other is drivable.”

 

Rogers said no officers were hurt in the incident. He also said that had the chase returned onto Route 50 in Bridgeport the officers were set up at the intersection of Route 279 and Route 50 with stop sticks.

 

After the arrest, Knight was being medically evaluated at Grafton City Hospital. He was in custody of the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.

 

Rogers offered praise and thanks for the help of the Clarksburg Police Department, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, and  the West Virginia State Police.