Police: Driver who caused Pikeville crashes charged
Channel: Mountain Top News
Date: 09/11/2017

Felony charges have been filed against the driver of a truck that allegedly struck three vehicles and caused two separate wrecks in Pikeville on Wednesday.
47-year-old William Wheeler, of Rome, Georgia, was lodged into the Pike County Detention Center early Thursday afternoon. Pikeville Police said Wheeler was driving recklessly on U.S. 23 northbound Wednesday when he collided with a vehicle on South Mayo Trail, and then crashed into two other vehicles in the Pikeville Cut Through at Exit 24. His arrest Thursday came after he was discharged from Pikeville Medical Center, where he was taken following Wednesday’s incidents.
The investigation in the case is ongoing, including looking into items Wheeler allegedly threw away while fleeing the scene of the final crash on foot.
Wheeler is facing charges of tampering with physical evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree wanton endangerment. Pikeville Police Detective Bruce Collins said Wheeler stated he was traveling between jobs when the incidents in Pikeville took place.