Wood County Sheriff’s Office - WV

09/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRAIN STRIKES PASSENGER VEHICLE AT HARRIS HIGHWAY CROSSING
At approximately 9:02 a.m., Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies and other first responders were dispatched by Central 911 to a report of a train striking a passenger vehicle at the railroad crossing at the intersection of Harris Highway and Belleville Drive.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Gregory Grimm, 61, of Point Pleasant, WV. Grimm was operating a 2019 Kia Sorento and was approximately halfway across the railroad tracks when the vehicle was struck by the train.
Following the collision, the train came to a stop approximately one-quarter mile from the location of the crash.
Grimm was transported from the scene by helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center for treatment. His current condition is not available at this time.
Also on scene were members of Pond Creek and Lubeck Volunteer Fire Departments and CCMC Medics.
The vehicle was removed from the scene by Pifer Towing.
The incident remains under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

09/04/2026

WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT IN CUSTODY

Wood County, WV — September 4, 2026

Andrew Strock, who was previously wanted by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, was taken into custody during the evening hours of August 3.

Wood County Sheriff’s Deputy Blaine Thornburg observed Strock while conducting routine patrol in the Boaz area near the river. Deputy Thornburg made contact with Strock, who was taken into custody without incident.

Strock was transported for processing following his arrest and is currently being housed at the North central Regional Jail.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/02/2026

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is seeking Andrew James Strock who lives in the Vienna area in connection with an ongoing investigation involving threats made against individuals associated with a child custody matter, including references to Government officials.
Strock is wanted on two felony Terroristic Threats warrant as well as one felony court capias
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Andrew Strock is asked to contact Wood County 911 or their local law-enforcement agency.
DO NOT APPROACH OR ATTEMPT TO DETAIN HIM. Please provide law enforcement with any information regarding his whereabouts.
This investigation remains active. All persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

08/14/2026

Current high water St Mary’s Pike and New Banks Road

08/13/2026

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is reminding the citizens of Wood County that the start of another school year is just around the corner.

On August 19, thousands of students will return to classrooms, school buses will once again be traveling our roads, and school zones will become busy with children, parents, teachers, and staff.

The safety of our children is a responsibility we all share.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office will have deputies out in full force throughout the county, particularly around schools and school zones. Deputies will be actively monitoring traffic and enforcing school zone laws, with zero tolerance for speeding in school zones and passing stopped school buses.

We are asking everyone to do their part:

Slow down in school zones. Give yourself extra time and expect increased traffic.

Stop for school buses. Never pass a stopped school bus when its warning lights are activated. A child could be crossing the road, even if you don’t see them.

Put the phone down. Distracted driving has no place around schools or anywhere children are present.

Stay alert. Watch for children walking, riding bicycles, crossing streets, and getting on or off buses.

Follow school traffic patterns and posted signs. Be patient during drop-off and pickup. A few extra minutes isn’t worth putting a child in danger.

Our children should be able to walk into a school, step off a bus, or cross a street without worrying about whether a driver is paying attention.

As the new school year begins, let’s work together to make sure our students get to school safely in the morning and safely back home in the afternoon.

Slow down. Stay alert. Put the phone down. Protect our kids.

08/09/2026

WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
NEWS RELEASE

Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash on I-77

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, at approximately 1:11 p.m., the Wood County HSEM E-911 Central Dispatch received reports of a vehicle crash on Interstate 77 near the 180.2-mile marker.

The crash involved a single 2025 Chevrolet Equinox traveling northbound on I-77. The vehicle, driven by 56-year-old Wendy Sue Walker of Carrollton, Ohio, reportedly ran off the left side of the roadway into the earth median before rolling and coming to rest in the median.

A passenger in the vehicle, 57-year-old Michael Todd Walker, also of Carrollton, Ohio, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Wendy Walker was transported by ambulance to Camden Clark Medical Center for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.

Due to the crash investigation and scene, northbound I-77 was temporarily closed at the 179-mile marker near Emerson Avenue. All lanes of the highway have since been reopened.

Responding agencies included the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Camden Clark Ambulance Service – WVU Medicine, Waverly Volunteer Fire Company, Williamstown Volunteer Fire Company, Eastwood Volunteer Fire Department, West Virginia Division of Highways, Wood County Coroner’s Office, and Pifer’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation by Deputy M.E. Stewart. No charges have been file at this time.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Michael Walker during this difficult time.

Vehicle Crash on I-77

In another incident at approximately 8:52 a.m., the Wood County HSEM E-911 Central Dispatch received a report of a vehicle crash on Interstate 77 near the 179-mile marker in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

The crash involved a 2024 Subaru Legacy operated by 27-year-old Natalie Elizabeth Bunner of Parkersburg, W.Va. Bunner was traveling southbound on I-77 when her vehicle struck the rear of a Stuart Oil commercial vehicle that was also traveling southbound.

The Stuart Oil vehicle was operated by 45-year-old Matthew Hellinger of Parkersburg, W.Va. There were no other occupants in either vehicle.

Bunner was transported from the scene by ambulance to the emergency room at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Hellinger was not injured in the crash.

The southbound lanes of I-77 were temporarily closed at the 179-mile marker near Emerson Avenue while emergency personnel responded to the scene and the vehicles were removed. All southbound lanes have since been reopened.

Responding agencies assisting the Wood County Sheriff’s Office included Camden Clark Ambulance Service – WVU Medicine, Waverly Volunteer Fire Company, Williamstown Volunteer Fire Company, and Pifer’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation by Wood County Sheriff’s Office Deputy M.E. Stewart.

07/31/2026

July 24th – July 30th

Deputies responded/answered 357 calls

11 -Animal Complaints
13 -Assist Motorist/Assist Agency/Assist Subject
10 -Check Welfare/Check Subject
15 -Disorderly Motorist/Disorderly Subject
11 -Domestic Calls/Domestic Violence Protective Orders Served
5 -Intrusion Alarms
2 -Mental Hygiene Order/Pick Up/Transport
18 -Residence/Business/Area Check
74 -Speak with Complainant by Phone or in Person
12 -Suspicious Person/Suspicious Vehicle
59 -Traffic Stops
5 -Traffic Crashes
9 - Warrants

❖ July 24th Love Hill Road warrant service from Washington County Ohio. Michael Jay Bond age 39 of Front Street, Marietta Ohio was arrested on charges of Fugitive from Justice as he was wanted out of Washington County Ohio. He was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed.

❖ July 24th Citation issued to Haiden Von Phillip Armel age 18 of Butcher Bend Road for Stop Sign Violation.


❖ July 25th Citation issued to William Shawn Holder age 39 of 29th Street for No Registration and No Insurance. The driver stated he had just purchased the motorcycle and could not provide any documents. The motorcycle was towed.

❖ July 25th Sugar Camp Road vehicle crash involving a Jeep and an Amazon delivery van. The Amazon van was stopped making a delivery when it was rear ended by the Jeep. Minor damage and information was exchanged from each driver.

❖ July 25th Citation issued to Holly S Hitchcock age 44 of State Route 681, Coolville Ohio for Speeding 78 in a 55 mph zone.

❖ July 25th Elizabeth Pike three vehicle crash in front of Mineral Wells Elementary School. Citation issued to Josie Makayla Metz age 24 of Cabin Lane, Elizabeth WV for Expired Operators License. Crash report taken.

❖ July 25th Lynn Street warrant service. Ariel Cheyene Nicole Rodrigue age 31 of Lynn Street was arrested on a warrant for (1) Fraudulent Scheme (2) Shoplifting warrants issued through the Parkersburg Police Department. She was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed pending arraignment.

❖ July 25th Pike Street warrant service. James Allen Pauley Jr age 36 of Pike Street was arrested on the Felony warrant for charges of Strangulation (warrant issued through Kanawha County). He was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed pending arraignment.

❖ July 25th Traffic stop Pike Street/Sams Creek Road. While on the traffic stop a female approached walking north on the shoulder of the roadway heading straight toward the back of the cruiser and the ongoing traffic stop. The female was advised to turn around and walk on the left side of the roadway. She continued and was told again to walk on the left side. The occupants of the traffic stop were released to go. The female walker Whitney Sue Nelson age 37 of Hardy HTS was arrested on charges of Obstructing Officer and Pedestrians on Roadway. She was transported and processed at the Holding Center, arraigned and released.

❖ July 25th Core Road vehicle crash involving three vehicles. Upon arrival a Honda Civic was observed with the front end of the vehicle to be completely destroyed needing to be towed. It appeared that the GMC Sierra actively slammed on the brakes causing the driver of the Honda Civic to rear end the vehicle. The driver of the 3rd vehicle had swerved to avoid impact with the other vehicles leaving the roadway and driving through a yard successfully avoiding the crash. The driver of the GMC Sierra Danny Matthew Nelson age 51 of Monongahela Avenue was arrested on charges of Destruction of Property (intentionally causing the accident). He was transported and processed at the Holding Center, arraigned and released on a $5,000.00 Surety bond.

❖ July 25th Traffic Stop Cedar Grove Road where the vehicle came to a stop. Alex Tyler Moore age 19 of Davisville Road was arrested on charges of DUI. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing and placed pending his arraignment.

❖ July 26th Traffic Stop with citation being issued to Richard Paul Schaffer age 44 of Hill Avenue for Driving on Suspended/Revoked. The driver called for someone to come and get the vehicle.

❖ July 26th Citation issued to Michael Dean Fletcher age 44 of Dodd Street, Middlebourne WV for Speeding 94 in a 70 mph zone.

❖ July 26th Elizabeth Pike vehicle crash. It appeared that the vehicle was traveling south on Elizabeth Pike when it encountered a turn, instead of navigating the turn the vehicle continued straight crossing into oncoming traffic. The vehicle went off the roadway and began to spin causing the rear passenger side to strike a utility pole. The vehicle sustained heavy damage to the rear passenger side and was towed. No damage to the pole and no injuries reported.

❖ July 26th I-77 vehicle observed by Deputy enter I-77 South and continue without navigating toward the lane not under construction moving directly toward the cones striking one on the driver side and then continuing into the construction zone still driving, no workers were present at this time. A traffic stop was conducted. Morgan Leigh Still age 30 of Maxwell Avenue was arrested on charges of (1) DUI (2) Obstructing (3) Open Container (4) Possession of Ma*****na (5) Driving on roadways lane for traffic. He was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed.

❖ July 26th Waverly Street domestic disturbance. Jody Lynn Saxton age 44 of Waverly Street was arrested on charges of Domestic Battery. She was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed pending her arraignment.

❖ July 27th Onward Road warrant service. Wayne Calvin Shriver age 34 of Onward Road was arrested on the warrant for Failure to Register as S*x Offender (issued through the WV State Police). He was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed.

❖ July 27th Red Hill Road theft of construction equipment. The complainant reported that a 3ft excavator bucket had been taken from the job site. At this time investigation is ongoing.

❖ July 27th Citation issued to Joseph Richard Dunn age 30 of 2nd Avenue for Speeding 59 in a 45 mph zone.

❖ July 27th Citation issued to Jeffrey Shane Hutson age 56 of Lynn Street for Improper Registration. The license plate was seized by the Deputy as it did not belong on the vehicle.

❖ July 27th Citation issued to 16 year old male of Myrtle Street for Speeding 64 in a 45 mph zone. He was also warned for Reckless Driving, driving after hours on a level II license and failure to carry operator license.

❖ July 28th Brittney Michelle Wilson age 33 of McGill Road, Vincent Ohio was arrested on a Capias for Shoplifting 2nd offense and current charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance which was on her person. She was transported and processed at the Holding Center taken for medical clearance and placed pending arraignment.

❖ July 28th Kayleigh Cheyenne Oxley age 25 of Powell Drive was arrested on a capias for Speeding. She was processed, arraigned and released on a Surety bond. The capias was issued through the Wood County Sheriff Department after she had been issued a citation for Speeding in April 2026 and failed to appear on the Citation.

❖ July 28th Warrant service Travis Lee Hudnall age 41 of Emerson Avenue was reprocessed on charges of Petit Larceny. He was processed, arraigned and released.

❖ July 28th Lake Washington Road unwanted person. Krista Lynn McCarty age 37 of Lake Washington Road was arrested on charges of Burglary. She was transported and processed at the Holding Center and placed pending her arraignment.

❖ July 28th RT 31 and Anvil Road vehicle crash. Both vehicles towed. It appears vehicle (1) Toyota Camry went left of center in a left hand curve sideswiping vehicle (2) Ford F150 pickup which had attempted to swerve to the right but was unable and was struck along the driver side door and bed before striking the driver side rear tire causing the drive shaft to be torn out and the rear axle to shift out of alignment.

❖ July 28th Williams Hwy/Boaz Road two vehicle crash. Both vehicles had heavy front end damage with airbag deployment with both being towed and both drivers being transported by EMS. A Citation was issued to Sarita m Johnston age 46 of Knox Street, Marietta Ohio for No Insurance.

❖ July 29th Citation issued to Layla Marie Norman age 21 of New England Ridge Road for Speeding 87 in a 65 mph zone.

❖ July 29th DuPont Road reference to a Hit and Run. The caller stated they had been rear ended with the other driver leaving the scene. The caller then stated they were following the other vehicle which had heavy front end damage with the hood up over the windshield. Vehicles were located in the parking lot where they had pulled over into the Marion Tennant pre owned auto parking lot located down the hill on Blizzard Drive towards Broadway Avenue. The involved vehicles were at the intersection of Harris Highway and DuPont Road when the Buick Lacrosse rear ended the Jeep Compass which then was shoved into the Jeep Cherokee. They had pulled into the Pro Tec Auto lot when the driver of the Buick Lacrosse fled the scene. Darrell Gene Dowler age 78 of Sherwood Forest Drive was arrested on charges of DUI and Fleeing the Scene. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing, taken to CCMC for medical clearance then placed back into the Holding Center.

❖ July 29th Ashton Isiah Elschlager age 20 of 20th Street Vienna was arrested on charges of (1) Obstructing Officer (2) Persons Prohibited from possessing fi****ms (Brandishing). He was transported to the Holding Center for processing, arraigned where he was bonded out.

❖ July 30th Harris Highway Destruction of Property Cat excavator. The complainant/victim reported that a Cat 324 excavator had been damaged. The complainant/victim stated that after the workers had left unknown person(2) had entered the job site and attempted to move a Cat 336 excavator where it made contact with the doors and shielding of the 324 causing significant damage estimated to be around $20,000.00 - $30,00.00 dollars.

❖ July 30th Drain Road Destruction of Property and Petit Larceny. The victim/complainant reported that a van window that was being used for storage had been broken out with items being taken including fishing pole(s) and tackle equipment.

❖ July 30th Pike Street two vehicle crash involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Kia Soul. The vehicles had struck at both of their front driver side tires. A citation was issued to the driver of the Kia Soul Bryan Christopher Sturm for Failure to Maintain and Left of Center.

❖ July 30th Worthington Street and 7th Street. Jonathan Michael Range age 42 of Worthington Street was arrested on charges of Fugitive from Justice as he was wanted out of Washington County Ohio with extradition and current charge of Obstructing. He was transported to the Holding Center for processing, transported to CCMC for medical clearance and then back to the Holding Center and placed.

07/28/2026

A reminder to all the first responders

07/24/2026

In support of the ongoing recovery efforts in Upshur County following last week's devastating floods, the Wood County Sheriff's Office, along with many sheriff's offices from across West Virginia, has been working with Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman to assist with relief operations.

Yesterday, members of the Wood County Sheriff's Office assisted in Upshur County by delivering water to residences and providing general patrol coverage in the southern part of the county.

Today, 20 skids of bottled water and other essential supplies are
en route to Upshur County. These donations were made possible through the generosity of Wood County citizens and local businesses.

The supplies being delivered are the remaining donated items collected during the recent Peoples Cartage fire response.

The Wood County Sheriff's Office would like to thank everyone who donated during that effort, as well as the Lubeck Volunteer Fire Department and the Wood County Office of Emergency Management/911 for storing and preserving these supplies until they could once again help those in need.

A special thank you goes out to the people of Wood County and the Back 2 Life Foundation for their continued generosity and support. Your willingness to help neighbors in times of need is a true reflection of the spirit of our community.

07/07/2026

Press Release from 911

Upon reviewing air monitoring data, all monitored levels are below minimum threshold levels.

Therefore, effective immediately, the Shelter In Place order is rescinded.