PRINCETON, W.Va. — A Mercer County fugitive who led police on a high-speed chase Monday also drew a handgun on them.
29-year-old Hope White was pulled over in front of Mercer Elementary School in Princeton at around 11 a.m. The Princeton Police Department initiated the stop, but the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office assisted. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office says she drew a handgun on officers and threatened to shoot them. She then began to pull away from the traffic stop. That’s when an officer fired four shots at her tires.
The high-speed chase continued down U.S. Route 19. White eventually crashed into a residence on Bluestone Road in Kegley. She jumped from the vehicle after crashing but was quickly apprehended by deputies. No injuries were reported in the incident. Children were not present at Mercer Elementary School as class does not begin until Thursday, August 10.
Police located the handgun used to threaten police as well as cocaine in her van. White was initially wanted for a Mercer County bond violation. No further information was available as of Tuesday.