Barbour man arrested after high-speed chase
By GARY MALLONEE, Staff WriterArticle Photos
A Barbour County man who led police on a chase through two counties Sunday at speeds that sometimes exceeded 105 miles per hour is in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $75,000 bond.
According to the report, Jonathon Swiger, 22, of 410 Locust Ave., Belington, was being pursued by the Barbour County Sheriff's Department on Talbott Road in Barbour County when the deputy lost sight of Swiger's black 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier. Cpl. T.A. Menendez of the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police was notified and proceeded to the Talbott Road where he saw Swiger turn left onto Route 33 and fail to stop at the stop sign. Menendez began to pursue Swiger and at times Swiger was reaching speeds in excess of 105 miles per hour. When approaching Childer's Run Road in Upshur County, Cpl. Troy Brady III of the Upshur County Sheriff's Department was waiting in the center between the east- and west-bounds lanes with his emergency lights flashing. Upon seeing the sheriff's vehicle, Swiger then pulled over and came to a stop.
An investigation revealed that Swiger was driving on a revoked license for under the age of 21 with a measurable amount of alcohol. Swiger was charged with driving on a suspended license and fleeing from an officer in a vehicle, both misdemeanors. Swiger is also wanted for an undisclosed felony in Barbour County.
