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West Virginia

Chase ends in mobile home park; Martinsburg man charged

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Martinsburg man faces multiple charges following a police chase Thursday night that ended in a crash at a mobile home park, West Virginia State Police said in a news release.

At about 8:30 p.m., Trooper J.D. Schuessler attempted to make a traffic stop on a 1998 Buick Regency in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant at 14634 Apple Harvest Drive for improper registration and having an expired expiration sticker, the release said.

Police said the driver, identified as Edward Light, 40, of Martinsburg, refused to stop and fled east on W.Va. 45.

State troopers and Berkeley County sheriff’s deputies assisted in the pursuit, which continued onto W.Va. 9 and the into Royal Crest Mobile Home Park on Royal Crest Drive, police said.

The driver turned off Royal Crest Drive and drove between two mobile homes, striking a porch and a fence before the Buick came to a stop in a culvert, according to the release.

A search of the driver and the vehicle revealed illegal pharmaceuticals, heroin valued at $300, marijuana valued at $25, drug paraphernalia, digital scales and two loaded firearms, the release said. One of the recovered firearms had been reported as stolen, according to the release.

Light was charged with driving under the influence, fleeing while DUI, possession of controlled substances, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, reckless driving, destruction of property, improper registration, driving without insurance, expired motor vehicle inspection sticker, speeding, attempting to leave the scene of a crash with property damage, felon in possession of a firearm and driving revoked for DUI.

Light sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash, police said.

Two female occupants in the Buick during the pursuit and crash were initially taken into custody but were later released.

Edward Hardy Light

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