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ELKINS -- A Randolph County grand jury will hear the case against a woman accused of fleeing from police in May during a high-speed pursuit.
Alexis Rachele Thompson, 36, is charged with one count of fleeing with reckless indifference, a felony. She is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $30,000 cash-only bond.
Randolph County Magistrate Tracy Harper found probable cause against Thompson in a preliminary hearing in Randolph County Magistrate Court. Thompson’s case will now be brought before the Randolph County Grand Jury for consideration.
According to the criminal complaint, filed by Trooper R.K. Stewart with the West Virginia State Police, on May 24, at around 7 p.m., Stewart was dispatched to a residence on Back Road in Randolph County for a welfare check. Randolph County 911 advised that an off-duty police officer had seen someone slumped over the steering wheel of a Kia Soul in that area.
Upon arrival, Stewart observed the Kia Soul; however, Communications advised that the vehicle's registration returned as belonging to a 2004 Volkswagen, the complaint states. Stewart observed the female driver to be passed out in the driver seat. When asked what her name was, the driver allegedly said it was "Amma Stutler." Stewart returned to his vehicle at which point the Kia Soul began to drive away.
Stewart initiated his lights and sirens, beginning a pursuit at 7:23 p.m., the complaint states. While in pursuit, Stewart continued onto Files Creek Road before the chase continued onto Scotts Lake Road. At this point, Trooper H.J. Bonetti joined the pursuit, which then continued onto U.S. Route 219 South, back onto Back Road and then onto Washboard Lane.
According to the complaint, the female driver then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. Stewart identified the driver as Thompson and writes that, during the pursuit, Thompson allegedly almost struck multiple vehicles and was traveling at "high rates of speed."
Communications also advised Stewart that Thompson was wanted out of Wood County for two counts of child neglect, the complaint states.
According to Magistrate Court records, Thompson is charged in Wood County with one count of child neglect causing serious bodily injury and one count of gross neglect of child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, both felonies. She is being held on a $75,000 cash-only bond for these charges. On June 6, Wood County Magistrate Brenda Marshall found probable cause against Thompson in this case, moving it on to the Wood County Grand Jury.
Thompson is also charged in Upshur County with one count of obstructing law-enforcement, probation, parole, court security or corrections officer with threats of harm and one count of initiating or circulating false emergency report, both misdemeanors. She is being held on a $3,000 surety/cash bond for those charges.