Charleston, WV - Drunk Climbed Into a Charleston Police SUV - Struck a Tree Then Struck Streetlight Pole By Police Station

June 14, 2010

By Ashley B. Craig / dailymail.com

Charleston police officers were responding to a call near the Transit Mall Sunday evening when James Brandon Burdette, 25, of Route 2 climbed into a Charleston Police SUV and drove away, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Magistrate Court.

According to a complaint filed by Patrolman H. Miller, car No. 219, a 2008 Dodge Durango, was parked in the area of Brawley Walkway and Summers Street when Burdette came upon it.

The man backed the vehicle down Brawley Walkway and struck a tree before turning onto Summers Street and heading toward Virginia Street, police said.

Burdette turned right onto Virginia Street - a one-way street running west to east - and continued on the street until he struck a streetlight pole with the police SUV. He came to a stop in the 500 block of Virginia Street, near the police station, officers said.

Burdette fled from the vehicle and ran south on Court Street toward Haddad Riverfront Park, the complaint said.

Officers eventually caught up with Burdette at the park and took him into custody. They noticed the man smelled of alcohol and his eyes were glassy. Burdette told officers when asked if he had been drinking that he consumed six beers earlier that day, according to the complaint.

After performing field sobriety tests, officers determined Burdette had a "high probability of impairment."

He has been charged with grand larceny auto and fleeing while under the influence. He is being held at South Central Regional Jail. His bond was set at $5,000.

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