SANDSTONE, W.Va. — A multi-county pursuit and stand-off ended with a Webster County man facing multiple charges.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop at around 2:30 Friday morning on U.S. Route 19 in the Scarbro area. While doing so, another vehicle passed them southbound at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
Deputies later caught up to the vehicle near Mount Hope. The driver refused to stop and continued onto I-64 eastbound toward Lewisburg. Deputies were then joined by the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department in the pursuit.
Deputies learned the driver was Tyler Lawson, 21 of Camden on Gauley. A safety bulletin was previously issued for him saying he was suicidal and possibly armed.
Lawson eventually stopped in the middle of I-64 near Sandstone Mountain and stepped out of the vehicle with a gun pointed to his head. Deputies successfully talked Lawson into surrendering. He was arrested and taken to jail without further incident.
Lawson has been charged with a felony count of fleeing an officer with reckless indifference. He also faces misdemeanor offenses of reckless driving and brandishing a deadly weapon.
“This young man was apparently struggling with family issues at home and quite distraught,” said Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley. “It’s important to not only address his disregard for the safety of the public and the officers involved, but to also get him the emotional help he obviously needs.”
Lawson is being held on $10,000 bond at the Southern Regional Jail.