By Amelia A. Pridemore
Beckley police say they are searching for an auto dealership employee who drove a company truck recklessly, fled an accident scene and told his boss he was running away to Ohio because his license was suspended.
Charges against Mark Felton, 35, whose last known address was in Pax, are pending, Sgt. S.D. Webb said.
Webb said Felton was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram crew cab pickup from Ramey Automotive’s lot in Prosperity to Ramey’s Eisenhower Drive location for service Wednesday afternoon when, according to witnesses, he drove “recklessly” and “erratically” and slammed on his brakes for no apparent reason. A woman driving a 2006 Ford Taurus hit the pickup truck in the rear. Felton then fled the scene, passing several vehicles on the wrong side of the road and driving through the Ramey lot on Eisenhower, Webb said.
Felton contacted the Prosperity lot’s manager, saying his driver’s license was suspended for non-payment of child support, Webb said. He also told his boss he was fleeing to Ohio.
Webb said a National Crime Information Center check revealed Felton had both felony and misdemeanor warrants in Ohio. Specific charges were not available.
The Dodge Ram was later recovered at the Johnstown Road Rite Aid, Webb said.
The Taurus’ driver was taken to a local hospital, Webb said.
Felton is described as white, 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about Felton’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Beckley Police Department at 304-256-1720 or Crime Stoppers at 304-255-7867.
— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com
