Pursuit ends in Mercer County when vehicle strikes house

Apr. 30—By GREG JORDAN

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

LERONA — A vehicle pursuit which started early Sunday morning in Summers County ended when it struck a residence in Mercer County.

The incident started around 2:50 a.m. Sunday when Sheriff Justin Faris initiated a traffic stop on Route 20 in the Pipestem area, said Chief Deputy T.S. Adkins of the Summers County Sheriff's Department.

The vehicle fled and a vehicle pursuit began. After the pursuit entered the Lerona area of Mercer County, the suspect vehicle attempted to turn onto Old Lerona Road, lost control, and struck a residence, Adkins said.

Sheriff Faris was able to remove both occupants of the vehicle just prior to it bursting into flames, Adkins said. Both occupants were flown out due to their injuries. Criminal charges were pending Monday. Summers County EMS, Hinton Police Department, Mercer County Sheriff Department, Pipestem Volunteer Fire Department, Athens Volunteer Fire Department and Princeton Rescue Squad were thanked for their help with this incident, Adkins said.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com