A Berkeley Springs man fleeing a traffic stop on Fairview Drive was arrested in Washington County, Md. after police there used “stop sticks” to deflate his tires on I-70.
According to a press release from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, David E. Bucher, 51, will face charges in both West Virginia and Maryland following a Monday evening chase.
Bucher was stopped by Deputy Dennis Jenkins at around 9:30 p.m. on Fairview Drive after the officer observed Bucher driving westbound on Martinsburg Road at 67 miles per hour.
According to police, Bucher initially accelerated when Deputy Jenkins tried to make a traffic stop, then pulled over.
During the traffic stop, police said Bucher argued with Deputy Jenkins and refused to get out of his vehicle, then sped away at a high rate of speed.
Deputy Jenkins pursued Bucher northbound on Fairview Drive, with speeds reaching 80 miles per house, said the department press release. Bucher turned left onto River Road toward U.S. 522 and onto the Hancock bridge.
Hancock police had been alerted to the pursuit and were on the bridge to assist, but Bucher fled past Hancock officers and onto I-70 toward Hagerstown.
According to police, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to assist and used “stop sticks” to deflate the tires on Bucher’s Chevy pickup at the 18-mile marker. Two miles later, Bucher’s vehicle came to a stop and he was apprehended by Washington County Sheriff’s deputies. Police there said a chemical test indicated Bucher’s blood alcohol level as .170 at the time he was arrested.
Deputy Jenkins has secured warrants for Bucher in West Virginia for fleeing while DUI and multiple other traffic offenses.
