OFFICER STRUCK AND SHOTS FIRED IN WEST VIRGINIA PURSUIT

Two Beckley men were in custody Tuesday night after one of them struck a city police officer with his vehicle while fleeing an attempted drug-related traffic stop, authorities said. Clinton Staples, 24, was charged with unlawful wounding, conspiracy to commit a felony, fleeing police and obstructing a police officer, said Detective Lt. Jeff Shumate, supervisor of the Beckley Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Division. Larry Smith, 47, was charged with delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine) and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Both men were being taken to Southern Regional Jail Tuesday night with arraignments pending, Shumate said. Shumate said police were doing surveillance on Earwood Street where Smith was believed to be making several illegal drug sales. Smith then got into Staples’ vehicle. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but a pursuit ensued.

A Beckley police officer whose name Shumate declined to release was outside his vehicle on Park Avenue when Staples came toward him and struck him, Shumate said. After being struck, the officer fired at Staples’ vehicle in an attempt to stop it. The pursuit continued a short distance. Shumate said Staples stopped while still on Park Avenue. Staples and Smith were then taken into custody.

The officer who was struck was taken to Raleigh General Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment Tuesday night, Shumate said. His injuries appeared to be minor. Along the suspects’ route, police located an undetermined amount of cocaine and crack cocaine that had been thrown from Staples’ vehicle during the pursuit, Shumate said. Shumate declined to release where the shots fired may have landed.