August 23, 2013: DUI Arrest Following Pursuit in Sissonville Area

Just after midnight on August 23, 2013 Deputy J. L. Miller of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office was on road patrol in the Sissonville area of Kanawha County.  He passed an older model Chevrolet Camaro with an inoperable headlight and no working tail lights heading north on Sissonville Drive.  When Deputy Miller attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle the driver refused to stop. 

The resulting pursuit went from Sissonville into Putnam County.  Deputy C. D. Lyons deployed spike strips near the intersection of Clendenin Creek Road and Route 34 in the path of the fleeing vehicle which damaged three of its tires.  The vehicle turned onto Route 34 toward Jackson County before coming to a halt due to the damaged tires.

The driver, Jared Keith Garnes, 26 of Liberty, WV, was arrested and charged with Fleeing While Driving Under the Influence, a felony.  The arrest was effected in Putnam County, and so the charge was filed with the Putnam County Magistrate Court.  Mr. Garnes was taken to Western Regional Jail and will be arraigned by a Putnam County Magistrate.

During the course of the pursuit a Putnam County Deputy was involved in a crash and sustained minor injuries.  Any inquiries into that crash may be directed to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

Attached is a copy of the mug shot taken during the arrest, and a faxed copy of the criminal complaint on file in Putnam County’s Magistrate Court.

As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mr. Garnes are merely accusations.  He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Corporal B. D. Humphreys

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office

301 Virginia Street East,

Charleston WV 25301

304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328