On Saturday, January 18th, 2025 at approximately 7 p.m. Calhoun County Dispatched received a 91 1 call from workers at Miller’s Kwik Stop located at 7558 S. Calhoun Hwy. in regards to a gentleman that had been parked at the store for some time. The clerk reported to Sr. Trooper J.D. Richards that a male driving a silver in color Toyota Tacoma had been outside the store in his vehicle for some time. When approached by the employees to ask if he needed help with anything, the male indicated that he was sitting doing
paperwork, but the only thing he was holding and fumbling with was a pack of cigarettes. It was indicated to the Trooper that the male was “slumped” over his steering wheel on two occasions, and one occasion in particular, the male was slumped over his steering wheel while his vehicle was half-pulled-out and was in reverse. At this point, the employees of Miller’s Kwik Stop made a unanimous decision to contact law enforcement.
On the same date, Trooper Richards pulled into Miller’s Kwik Stop and noticed a Silver in color Toyota Tacoma pulled half-way out of parking in front of the store. When the Trooper pulled in, the male in the Silver color Toyota Tacoma sped off. Trooper Richards pulled out once more and initiated lights and sirens on the silver in color 2009 Toyota Tacoma at the intersection of Country Lanes and S. Calhoun Hwy. in Mt. Zion, WV.
On contact with the male, the Trooper noticed slurred speech and confusion, as well as spotting a pipe in the center console. Trooper Richards asked the male to hand him the pipe, but the male seemed to not be able to find it even though the Trooper’s flashlight was pointing directly at it. During this contact Trooper Richards noticed the smell of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Trooper Richards asked the male to step out and picked up the pipe in question, He could smell the odor of burnt marijuana. At the same time, the Trooper noticed the male was unsteady on his feet exiting his vehicle and walking to the rear of his vehicle.
The driver was identified as Rodney Wayne Smith who had previously been convicted of DUl on 12/16/2024 in Calhoun County but his license to operate a motor vehicle was, at the
time, still valid.
Trooper Richards conducted a Standardized Field Sobriety and ARIDE test, also asking Mr. Smith if he was under the care of a doctor or a Dentist in the past 48 hours. Mr. Smith replied that he goes to the Doctor but he did not remember the last time. The Trooper also asked if Mr. Smith was having a medical emergency to which he replied that he was not.
It was determined that Mr. Smith was impaired at which time he was taken into custody. He was taken to Minnie Hamilton Health System in Grantsville, WV where a Blood draw was completed followed and then taken to the WVSP office for processing. Rodney Smith was charged with DUI 2nd offense and transported to the WV Regional Jail to await arraignment.
