PRINCETON, W.Va. – A Mercer County man is behind bars after being charged with DUI Causing Death in the Sept. 3 truck/bicycle crash that took the life of a Kellysville man.
Patrick F. Jones, 60, of Oakvale, was arrested Tuesday and remains incarcerated at Southern Regional Jail on a $25,000 surety/cash bond.
The victim of the crash, Gregory Whitlow, 78, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was riding his bicycle along Kellysville Road near Oakvale when he was hit.
According to the criminal complaint filed by West Virginia State Trooper First Class J.B. Fox, the crash occurred at 5:45 p.m. and upon arrival State Police observed that Jones, the driver of the pick-up truck involved, had dilated pupils. Jones signed a consent form to have his blood drawn at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital and the blood draw kit was sent to the State Police Crime Lab for testing.
On Oct. 16, the results were received and the Crime Lab found Buprenorphine and Norbuprenorphine in Jones’ system.
Fox said these are compounds found in Suboxone, a Schedule III controlled substance and the results of the blood test were over therapeutic levels for the controlled substance. Suboxone can be used to treat opioid addiction and reduce fatal overdoses but it also can be abused.
The charge of DUI Causing Death is a felony and upon conviction can carry a sentence of not less than three nor more than 15 years in prison as well as fines up to $3,000.
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