BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – An officer killed in an accident during a pursuit of a suspected drunken driver had been with the Bluefield police force for nine years, officials said Wednesday.
Bluefield police administrative assistant Kevin Fleming said Lt. Aaron L. Crook was killed early Tuesday.
Fleming says funeral arrangements for Crook, who also was a former U.S. Marine, are pending.
Three other officers were treated for injuries at a hospital and released. State police are investigating the accident and details haven't been released.
The suspect, Morgan Smith Walker, 27, of Princeton, was arrested on charges including DUI causing death with reckless disregard, Mercer County Prosecutor George Sitler told WVNS-TV .
According to a criminal complaint, officers saw Walker driving well above the posted speed limit, cross the center line and nearly hit a police cruiser before the pursuit started.
Walker was being held in the Southern Regional Jail on $50,000 bond. Jail records didn't indicate whether he has an attorney.
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