Trooper J.D. Richards of the West Virginia State Police filed a complaint in the Magistrate Court of Calhoun County May 11th, 2024 regarding the arrest of 24 year old Riley Holcomb.
Trooper Richards stated ath on Friday May 10th, 2024 at approximately 10 p.m. he was notified by Calhoun County Dispatch that a two vehicle accident had happened around the 30 block of North Calhoun Highway in Grantsvile, Calhoun County, WV. Trooper Richards, along with CPL. DC Moore and Calhoun County Sheriff G.J. Knight all responded to the scene of the crash.
Once at the scene, Trooper Richards observed two vehicles, one being a red in color Ford Ranger pickup and the other being a black in color Toyota Camry with both vehicles suffering from front end damage. The pickup had marks heading southbound and the Camry had marks that appeared it was heading northbound. Both Trooper Richards and CPL. Moore spoke with the driver of the black Camry, identified himself as Riley Eugene Holcomb. While Speaking with Mr. Holcomb, Trooper Richards could smell the odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, along with slurred speech, unsteady mobility and bloodshot watery eyes.
After inspecting the interior of the Black Camry, Trooper Richards observed spilled beer on the passenger side floor board as well as a crushed beer can located within the proximity of the vehicle that appeared like it had not been there but for a short time. As a result of these observations, the officers conducted a Standardized Field Sobriety Tests on Mr. Holcomb with the results of these tests showing that Holcomb was impaired. A Preliminary Breath test was conducted which showed a large presence of alcohol in Mr. Holcomb’s system.
Riley Holcomb was taken into custody for Driving under the influence of alcohol and supplied a sample of his breath resulting in a BAC of: 0.148. After this, CPL. Moore conducted a mirandized interview where Mr. Holcomb stated that he “Obviously had been drinking and that he had consumed “3 shots, a 12 pack and 3 beers” and that he had came from “the bar”. Mr. Holcomb also stated that he did not have insurance on his vehicle.
While at the Detachment Trooper Richards was informed by Sheriff Knight that the individuals that were riding in the Ford Ranger: Michael Lee Frederick Bandy and Caleb Scott Barr had been transported via ambulance to Minnie Hamilton. Sheriff Knight had been informed that the passenger, Mr. Barr, was in a lot of pain with scratches and bleeding. Also, the driver of the Ford Ranger, Mr Bandy, had a large amount of pain, stitches on his face and also bleeding and scratches.
Trooper Richards was forwarded the EMS Run sheet where ti detailed that Mr. Holcomb was not hurting, and uttered that the accident was “all his fault because he was Looking at his console to change the radio station”.
Holcomb was charged with DUI causing bodily injury and no insurance. He is currently awaiting trial in the West Virginia Central Regional Jail where he is being held on a $15,000 property or surety bond.
