Details Released in Fatal DUI Motorcycle Accident

According to published reports, Johnny Hayward McCourt, age 58, of Webster Springs, was charged with the felony crime of DUI Causing Death.

The charges stem from a July 2, 2016 motorcycle accident in Randolph County involving McCourt and his (alleged) passenger, Charles V. Hamrick, who was non-responsive at the scene and later pronounced dead.  McCourt was life flighted from the scene to a Morgantown hospital.

On July 9, police took a statement from McCourt.  McCourt allegedly told police that while he was initially driving the motorcycle back home from Snowshoe, he felt he was too intoxicated and then let Hamrick drive the motorcycle.  McCourt allegedly claimed that Hamrick was driving the motorcycle when the accident occurred.  

Police later interviewed Hamrick's mother, who said that her son could not possibly have driven the motorcycle due to a past injury to his arm and a disability in his leg.  Police also interviewed a couple who was driving behind the motorcycle when the accident occurred.  The couple said that McCourt was the operator of the motorcycle.  Police then obtained medical records from the hospital, which showed that McCourt had a blood alcohol content of .19 (more than twice the legal limit), which was taken two and a half hours after the accident.

Truck Wreck Causes Big Mess for Two Days

On Monday, September 12, 2016, a semi-truck carrying a full load of metal roof trusses wrecked on State Route 15 (also known as the Point Mountain Road) just uphill from the Bergoo Road (Route 26) turnoff.

In addition to truck wreckage and trusses scattered all over the place, the wreck caused a major mess with fuel and oil spilled on the road.  Station One of the Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department immediately responded and they were able to contain the fuel and oil spill before significant environmental damage was done.  Clean up of the roof trusses lasted well into the afternoon of Tuesday, September 13, 2016, as observed by the editor of this blog at about 3:30 p.m.  No serious injuries were reported from the accident.

The semi-truck is owned by Progressive Systems, Inc., with headquarters in Michigan.  According to the company's website, they have "been involved in the design and manufacturing of light-gauge steel trusses for more than fifteen years. We utilize a simple symmetrical truss shape that allows for a maximum strength-to-weight ratio, creating a lighter truss for longer spans. By utilizing a U-shaped chord section, PSI is able to produce rigid designs that install quickly with less required bracing."

All photographs shown below are from the Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.

Jail Van a Bit Crowded Today

According to the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority website, the jail van from Webster County to the Central Regional Jail in Flatwoods was a bit crowded today.  The website lists the following persons booked into jail today:

1.  Joe Edward Butcher, Sr., born July 25, 1964, pre-trial felon, conspiracy, operating a drug lab, and possession of precursor to manufacture methamphetamine

2.  Christy Linn Carpenter, born April 27, 1975, pre-trial felon, burglary, grand larceny

3.  Patty Ann Malcomb, born November 4, 1963, DOC inmate, conspiracy, delivery of controlled substance

4.  Rosa Ann Maze, born February 7, 1997, DOC inmate, possession with intent, fraud access device

All persons are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

West Virginia Ranks Fourth

Well, finally a category exists in which West Virginia does not rank last.

And, no, we are not talking about the football team.

West Virginia ranks fourth among all 50 states in the percent of people owning a gun.  Just over 54 percent of West Virginians own a gun.  Only Alaska (61.7%), Arkansas (57.9%), and Idaho (56.9%) rank ahead of West Virginia.  The national average is about 33%.

9/11 Tribute by Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Deparment

Burnsville Harvest Festival Car Show Photos

The Town of Burnsville held its third ever harvest festival and first ever car show on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Burnsville Elementary School.

Highlanders Suffer First Defeat of Season

The Tyler Consolidated Knights blanked the visiting Webster County Highlanders 28 to 0 on Friday, September 9, 2016.  Both teams now sport a 2 win, one loss record.  After a bye week off, Webster heads to play at Notre Dame on September 23, 2016.