By BRAD JOHNSON
For the Dominion Post
BUCKHANNON – An Upshur County man was arrested Sunday for driving through a barricaded section of flood-damaged road, Sheriff J. Michael Coffman said.
On Sunday, “deputies with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office arrested Larry Christopher Alderman, 53, of French Creek, West Virginia, following an incident at a road closure on Stonecoal Road,” the Upshur Sheriff’s Office press release stated.
Alderman has been charged with three counts of assault on a police officer, one count of battery on a police officer, four counts of obstructing an officer, fleeing from an officer in a motor vehicle, and driving under the influence (DUI). He is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $30,000 cash bond.
Multiple agencies, including the West Virginia Division of Highways, the West Virginia National Guard, utility crews, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police, the sheriff’s office and the West Virginia State Police had been working for days to “secure flood-damaged roadways and ensure the safety of the public while emergency repairs are underway,” the release stated.
Alderman was stopped by deputies at a barricaded section of Stonecoal Road and told the road was closed due to heavy equipment, multiple work crews, and hazardous conditions resulting from the recent flooding,the release reads. “He was informed that traffic would be permitted through once it was safe to do so.”
Alderman reportedly said, “No one was going to prevent him from entering the roadway, accelerated through the barricades, and fled from deputies,” the release stated. His vehicle was ultimately stopped when it could proceed no farther because of large boulders and heavy equipment blocking the roadway.
After stopping his vehicle, Alderman “refused lawful commands and physically resisted deputies,” according to the release. “During the arrest, he allegedly assaulted officers, including headbutting one deputy. Deputies deployed a Taser before he was taken into custody.”
“This incident occurred on Stonecoal Road, which remains closed due to flood damage. The roadway is closed 24 hours a day to all traffic except local residents, and law enforcement officers are stationed at the closure around the clock,” the release stated.
“The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that these road closures are in place to protect lives and allow emergency personnel, utility crews, and the Division of Highways to restore infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible. During the current State of Emergency, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for individuals who ignore road closures or fail to comply with lawful orders from law enforcement,” according to the release. “Violations will result in enforcement action and, when appropriate, arrest.”
