RIDGELEY, W.Va. — Charges are pending against a Front Royal, Virginia, man who led Allegany and Mineral County sheriffs’ deputies on a chase in a stolen vehicle before crashing into a Ridgeley residence early Thursday morning, according to the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office.
Curtis Delanie Plaugher, 31, allegedly fled the scene of the crash and was taken into custody a short time later under the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad bridge, Sgt. Chris Hill said.
“Just before 3 a.m. a patrol deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop on a Silver Jeep Compass for displaying improper tags,” Hill said.
Plaugher did not stop for the deputy and continued into West Virginia to the Carpendale area and then traveled back into Maryland before returning to West Virginia and crashing into the house at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and John Street, Hill said.
Using a thermal imaging device, Plaugher was located a short time later, wet, under the train bridge between Cumberland and Ridgeley, Hill said.
“He was taken into custody by the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office,” Hill said. “Plaugher has pending charges in Maryland and West Virginia.”
Deputies reported that the vehicle Plaugher was driving was reported stolen in West Virginia and he appeared to be impaired.
A request for Allegany County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Erik was made, but he was not deployed, according to Hill.
Mineral County Sheriff’s Office could not be reached for comment.
Fire department units from Ridgeley, Wiley Ford, Fort Ashby and an ambulance from Ridgeley were dispatched to the crash scene.
Hill said there were no injuries to the occupants of the residence.
The Allegany County Special Operations Collapse Team was requested to assist Mineral County units, according to Special Operations Duty Officer Steve Shipley.
“Structurally only a corner of the house was damaged,” Shipley said. “We added some wood to help the landlord be able to close off the small opening so that they could remain in the house for Christmas.”
Shipley said the house will need repaired but there were no structural integrity issues.
Todd Bowman is a local and national journalist specializing in public safety news. Follow his work on all social media platforms @ThePeakedT.