Bradley Owen Ellis (33 years old of Harts, WV) was arrested overnight at the end of a pursuit.
Mr. Ellis stopped for an initial traffic stop on Campbells Creek Drive near Malden, but as the Deputy approached to speak with the occupants the vehicle fled north. The car pulled into a gas station where a passenger began to exit the vehicle as the Deputy Sheriff caught up. With the door open and the passenger partially out of the vehicle Mr. Ellis quickly pulled away. The passenger remained in the vehicle and the door closed again.
The vehicle fled onto I-64 toward Charleston, passing illegally on the shoulders of the road, and at high rates of speed. At another gas station in Charleston the car slowed down. Pursuing Deputies kept a safe distance away as two female passengers exited the vehicle. The vehicle then drove off and the pursuit resumed.
In Charleston near Bigley Avenue the fleeing vehicle struck a Charleston Police Cruiser but continued driving. The vehicle fled south on US 119 into Boone County where it ran out of gas and came to a stop. Mr. Ellis was taken into custody.
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputies charged him through Boone County Magistrate Court with fleeing with reckless indifference, fleeing while driving under the influence (DUI), driving with a license revoked for DUI 3rd offense, and DUI.
No one was injured in the pursuit or crash in Charleston. Assistance in the pursuit was given by Charleston PD, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police.
Additional charges may be filed by Charleston PD relating to the crash involving a cruiser. As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Mr. Ellis are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.