BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOVELY — The Tug River search for a missing man took an unexpected twist Wednesday morning. Martin County Sheriff’s deputies rescued and apprehended an entirely different suspect — who had leaped into the river to escape them in an unrelated case.

David Joshua Brown, 39, of Lovely, was first spotted driving a truck precariously along Route 292 on just its rim.

“There was no tire,” explained Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd.

Deputies turned their vehicle around to investigate, but Brown abandoned the truck before they could make contact. Moments later, they encountered him walking along the road and attempted to speak with him. Upon learning he had an active warrant for a parole violation, Brown resisted and bolted.

The pursuit ended dramatically when Brown jumped into the Tug River near R&J Building Supply in Lovely.

Fortunately for him, he was able to grab onto a downed tree in the river, where he held on for 12-15 minutes and ultimately crawled along the log to the river bank.

The ongoing river search for a missing individual from Johnson County meant resources were already in place to rescue Brown from the frigid waters. Officials wrapped him and transported him to a hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

Once medically cleared, Brown went to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where he now faces charges of operating on a suspended or revoked license, resisting arrest, first-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), menacing, and a parole violation bench warrant.

Meanwhile the search for David Blevins of Staffordsville continues Wednesday. See the related story.