Two Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies are responsible for taking a hit-and-run suspect into custody, according to a press release from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, January 21, at approximately 3:41 p.m. Deputy Brown and Deputy Gagliardo observed a black Toyota SUV in the area of Fairground Road and Winners Court, that had extensive damage to the rear passenger’s side including three broken windows and a broken taillight.
The officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of Fairgrounds Road and Baugh Drive, the release states, though the vehicle continued south on Baugh Drive. The SUV continued onto the property of a local manufacturing facility where it eventually stopped. The deputies indicated that the driver, identified as Kenneth J. Lee, 45, of Strasburg, VA, failed to maintain the vehicle in its lane as they followed it.
Lee was questioned regarding the vehicle damage, which he stated was due to being sideswiped on Route 340 while driving home from Charlestown, WV. Lee was unable, however, to tell deputies whether the incident occurred in Virginia or West Virginia. Deputies stated that Lee acted confused and showed signs of being under the influence of an intoxicant. EMS was called to the scene, though Lee declined medical attention.
The release states that during the course of their investigation, deputies were notified by the Jefferson County, WV Sheriff’s Office that the vehicle and suspect were involved in a fatal hit and run, within their jurisdiction. Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty stated that around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, his office responded to Route 340 near Halltown Road, where they found a person in critical condition after being struck by a black SUV. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Lee was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and was transported to RSW Jail. Warrants were obtained for driving under the influence of drugs and refusal. Lee is currently being held without bond.
Charges related to the hit and run incident that occurred in West Virginia are pending.
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