On December 29, 2015 at around 9:20 p.m. Sergeant J. H. Thaxton of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office passed a stolen vehicle on Sissonville Drive near Teresa Lane in Sissonville, WV. He turned to follow the vehicle and stopped it in the 7700 block of Sissonville Drive.
The driver, Randall Wilson Asbury (57 years old of Sissonville), was taken into custody. The vehicle was towed for safe-keeping and the investigation into the theft is on-going. Inside the vehicle Sgt. Thaxton located a prescription Xanax pill and a hypodermic syringe.
Sgt. Thaxton smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage as Mr. Asbury spoke. Subsequent tests indicated Mr. Asbury was intoxicated. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a stolen vehicle. He was taken to Kanawha County Magistrate Court for arraignment, then to South Central Regional Jail in lieu of bond.
Mr. Asbury’s arrest was one of seven DUI arrests made by Kanawha County Deputy Sheriffs overnight. This DUI involved a stolen vehicle, and two others were related to crashes.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, with monetary assistance from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, will continue patrolling for impaired drivers this week. As New Year’s Eve approaches we encourage everyone to make plans for a safe holiday. If you go out to drink, have a designated driver or plan for a safe ride home. Do not drink and drive risking your life and the lives of others.
As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mr. Asbury are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Attached is a mug shot taken during his arrest overnight.
