Charleston Leader

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, just after 7:00 a.m., Metro 911 received reports that a vehicle had crashed into a retaining wall in the 6700 block of MacCorkle Avenue SW., in Jefferson. 

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputy C.S. Sigmon arrived on scene to find a white 2020 Chevrolet Trax had had been traveling east on MacCorkle Avenue SW., toward Charleston prior to the crash. The vehicle crossed the center median, and the westbound lanes before striking a retaining wall outside of the former Big Marv’s Bar. Both the vehicle and retaining wall were significantly damaged.

The driver, 31-year-old Travis L. Rhodes of Nitro, was found in possession of a partially loaded syringe with fresh injection sites on his arms. Mr. Rhodes was unharmed during the crash, but deputies acquired sufficient evidence to suggest that Mr. Rhode’s was a habitual user of amphetamines and therefore he is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle under West Virginia State Code. Sergeant J.L. Lester, a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) for the Sheriff’s Office was called in to assess the condition of Mr. Rhodes. Sgt. Lester completed a drug influence evaluation and determined that Mr. Rhode’s was too impaired to operate a motor vehicle safely and subsequently an additional charge of DUI 1st offense was added.

Mr. Rhodes was arraigned in Kanawha County Magistrate Court on two separate driving under the influence offenses and released on a $1000.00 personal recognizance bond.  As always, Mr. Rhodes is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Original source can be found here