Randolph County Sheriff's Office seeking information after chase

HUTTONSVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Randolph County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help as they investigate a vehicle pursuit that occurred over the weekend.

In a news release, the sheriff's office said the incident began shortly before 11 p.m. when officers responded to several calls regarding an older model Ford pickup truck with several people sitting in the bed, spinning his tires near Par-Mar in Huttonsville.

When officers approached the truck, the driver “spinned his tires and fled the traffic stop,” according to the release. The driver led officers on a chase on Route 219/250 through Huttonsville and Mill Creek, fishtailing as the truck passed Linger Farms, nearly hitting a pedestrian and at times exceeding 60 mph, according to the press release.

The driver “nearly struck the back of an innocent driver” near Tygarts Valley High School, the release said, before spinning out and hitting the curb near the Pizza & Sub Shoppe, damaging one of the tires of the truck.

Officers said the driver got out of the truck and fled, but due to a “strong odor of alcohol in the area where a bottle of cognac was located” inside the vehicle, it is believed that it was a DUI driver.

The sheriff's office is asking for photos or videos of the incident, information about the driver or others in the vehicle, all of whom are believed to be under the age of 21. Deputies also encourage the pedestrian who was almost struck to contact them as soon as possible. 304-636-2111 during business hours or 304-636-2000 after hours.