BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Lowmansville man was arrested Feb. 27 after almost hitting a Martin County Sheriff’s deputy head-on on the wrong side of the four-lane and crashing his car twice.

Eric Mollett, 50, faces charges of fleeing or evading police, first degree (motor vehicle), wanton endangerment, first degree (police officer), operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, fourth or greater (aggravated circumstance), and improper use of left lane overtaking vehicle.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began while a deputy was patrolling Route 645 in Inez. The deputy reported having to pull onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision with Mollett.

The officer activated his emergency lights to stop the vehicle, but Mollett continued driving.

When Mollett reached the intersection of Routes 645 and 40, he turned left and drove into a guardrail, the deputy said. Mollett then allegedly attempted to ram the police cruiser before fleeing onto Route 645 toward Route 3.

When he got to Middle Fork Road, he turned and crashed again at the Martin County REACT office.

Officers then took him into custody.

Editor’s note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.