What began as routine patrol in the Gassaway on Wednesday, May 1, ended in a highspeed trip to Kanawha County and the arrest of a Burnsville man.
Sgt. Luke Johnson of the Braxton County Sheriff’s Department was on routine patrol in Gassaway around 4:00 p.m. when he witnessed a maroon Subaru that failed to stop at a stop sign. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle who refused to yield and attempted to elude authorities. The Subaru proceeded down Route 4 at a high rate of speed, sometimes exceeding 90 miles per hour. During the escape attempt, the fleeing vehicle narrowly missed colliding with at least two vehicles.
The chase proceeded through Clay County and ended below Clendenin in Kanawha County where Deputies assisted by a Braxton County Deputy met the approaching vehicle. The Subaru drove over an embankment into the river. The lone occupant, identified as Michael Shayne Wood of Burnsville, was retrieved from the river uninjured.
The officer’s subsequent investigation revealed that Woods was driving on a suspended license which was originally revoked in March 2020 following a DUI arrest. Woods had already been charged with driving while revoked for DUI in October, 2023.
Sgt. Johnson charged the driver with numerous misdemeanor traffic violations including improper registration. He was also charged with driving while revoked for DUI second offence.
Wood was arraigned before Braxton County Magistrate David Singleton where his bond was set at $10,000 cash only. The accused remains in custody at press-time awaiting additional court appearances.