LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) — A local man was arrested Sunday, April 20 after allegedly leading Lewisburg police on a high-speed motorcycle pursuit through city streets and rural roads before being taken into custody, authorities said.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Lewisburg Police Department, an officer was on routine patrol around 4 p.m. on April 20 when he observed a black enduro-style motorcycle fail to signal properly and disregard a stop sign near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Fair View Road. The motorcyclist, later identified as Preston Allen, 25, of Greenbrier County, then fled at a high rate of speed, prompting the officer to initiate a pursuit.
Police said Allen weaved dangerously in and out of traffic, passed vehicles on the left, and forced other drivers off the road. The officer disengaged his lights and sirens after determining the chase was becoming too hazardous but continued to follow Allen while relaying information to dispatch.
The pursuit led to James Stuart Road, where Allen allegedly drove through a cow pasture and narrowly avoided striking the officer’s patrol vehicle. He then doubled back toward Arbuckle Lane, heading in the direction of U.S. Route 219, where another officer was arriving to assist.
Allen was stopped after coming upon a stationary vehicle in the road. Officers ordered him off the motorcycle and detained him without further incident.
Allen told police he fled because he did not have a motorcycle endorsement and admitted he “hated cops,” according to the complaint. Officers discovered that the motorcycle’s registration had expired in February and that Allen did not have insurance.
He was taken to the Lewisburg Police Department for processing before being transported to Southern Regional Jail to await trial.
Allen faces multiple charges including fleeing with reckless indifference, driving without a motorcycle endorsement, and operating an uninsured and unregistered vehicle.
