West Virginia State Police say altered fireworks, weapons, chickens and marijuana were found inside an SUV that wrecked on Interstate 79, and the driver from Pennsylvania has been arrested.
Police say a Ford Explorer carrying dozens of chickens flipped in Roane County about 3:30 a.m. Friday.
West Virginia Metro News reports that State Police have arrested and charged Seth Grim, 21 of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. State Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Baylous says additional charges are pending.
Grim suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Charleston Area Medical Center and then taken into custody. He is being held at South Central Regional Jail.
WOWK-TV reports a dog tried to jump out of the window of Grim’s vehicle, which may have caused the accident. Unfortunately, the dog was killed in the accident.
According to the Charleston Gazette, Grimm was on the run from authorities in Pennsylvania. Grim also told police he is a “sovereign citizen” — part of a movement that generally rejects federal laws and taxation.
The crash closed Interstate 79 in both directions near Amma for more than four hours before reopening.
Reaction from the public:
The bizarre circumstances surrounding the crash has elicited various reactions from the public. Here are a few tweets from West Virginians and reporters about the incident:
What kind of society are we when an SUV crashes w/ guns & bombs but we wonder ‘WTF are the chickens about?!’?
— Chip Douglas (@AreaMan_) August 22, 2014
@TaishaWCHS so it didn't get blown up. 🙂
— Katelyn Sykes (@KatelynsWTAE) August 22, 2014
News from Charleston – "Well, they blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night, and they blew up his house, too" http://t.co/3QTMsCPdOj
— Drew J. Ross (@drewjross) August 22, 2014
I couldn’t help but poll Twitter to ask for other scenarios that would make bizarre news. Here are a few responses:
@davemistich Snakes, wedding dress, shake-and-bake meth lab.
— Bill Case (@billcasewv) August 22, 2014
@davemistich 5 Grenades, 20 Betta Fish and 6 large boxes only containing cassette copies of the Wham! album "Make It Big." #wackyI79combos
— Aaron Payne (@aaron_4_news) August 22, 2014
@davemistich Yugo hauling dead calamaris overturns on I64 at mm 5. SB lanes closed. Driver broke a nail. Calamaris found to be hog rectums
— Glenn Taylor (@GlennTaylorBook) August 22, 2014