LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – According to a criminal complaint, on October 27, an officer was called at approximately 5 p.m. The call was for a welfare check in the vicinity of the Shell Station across from Walmart. The original caller reportedly said the driver of a blue truck was slumped across the steering wheel and not responding to people trying to wake him by knocking on the vehicle’s windows. The caller said the male appeared to be going in and out of consciousness.
The officer made contact with the driver, later identified as Jonathan Byrd, upon arriving at the scene. According to the criminal complaint, Byrd was seen slumped against the steering wheel and could hardly maintain a conversation. Byrd was also reportedly exhibiting slurred speech and nodding off.
Byrd allegedly told the officers that he had used methamphetamine and fentanyl earlier in the day before driving. The complaint notes that he explained he wasn’t sure of the exact time. Byrd reportedly gave verbal consent to the officers to have his vehicle searched. During the search, the officer located a pipe with residual powder and a piece of foil. Both items are consistent with drug use.
A deeper investigation reportedly showed that Byrd’s driver’s license was suspended for unpaid citations. Byrd allegedly said he knew his driver’s license was suspended and that he wasn’t allowed to operate a motor vehicle.
The criminal complaint states that Byrd was asked if he would consent to a blood draw, and he did. Byrd was then placed in mechanical wrist restraints and taken to the Lewisburg Police Department to sign the blood draw paperwork. Byrd was then transported to CAMC-GVMC for the blood work, which was performed by medical personnel. Byrd was given medical clearance and transported to Southern Regional Jail.
