ATV driver hits sheriff’s car

A juvenile ATV driver was injured in a Sunday, September 23 incident where the victim’s ATV hit Sheriff Vince Shambaugh’s police cruiser during an investigation.

Shambaugh responded to a complaint around 4:48 p.m. on Sunday about ATVs riding on the roadway in the Milo School Road area, according to West Virginia State Police Trooper Corporal A.T. Peer.

Shambaugh was traveling toward Detour Road on Milo School Road when he saw three or four ATVs on the roadway that turned from Detour Road onto Milo School Road.

Shambaugh activated his vehicle’s blue lights as soon as he saw the ATV riders on the road. They didn’t stop, but sped up instead, Peer said.

The sheriff started to move his vehicle to a wide spot on the side of the road by the entrance to the old landfill. One of the ATVs moved to the left and hit the sheriff’s cruiser on the front right. The sheriff’s vehicle traveled off to the side of the roadway and came to rest.

Sheriff Shambaugh was not injured in the accident. Peer said that Shambaugh thought the ATV was trying to go around his vehicle and ended up striking it on the right instead. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

The Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Company and the Morgan County Rescue Service responded to the accident. State Trooper J.C. McDonald also assisted Peer at the scene.

The 16-year old male ATV driver was from the Great Cacapon area. He was charged with driving an ATV on the roadway under the county’s ATV ordinance.

The youth was transported to War Memorial Hospital. Peer was uncertain of his injuries.

The other ATV riders continued west on Milo School Road and got away.