Rich Creek Mayor Arrested for Public Intoxication

The newly elected mayor of a small Virginia town was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly arriving at the scene of a train derailment while under the influence, according to local sources.

Paul Morrison, 57, who serves as the mayor of Rich Creek, was taken into custody on public intoxication charges, as reported by WSLS and confirmed by prison records. The derailment occurred in the afternoon near Rich Creek, close to the West Virginia-Virginia border, according to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP).

The WVDEP noted that some incidents were reported within West Virginia, and the train involved belonged to Norfolk Southern Railway.

Officials stated that soybean oil leaked as a result of the derailment, but it was deemed non-hazardous. Recovery efforts were already underway.

It has been reported that Morrison showed up at the scene after the incident, intoxicated, and was subsequently arrested by agents from the Giles County Sheriff’s Office. However, the specifics of what led to his arrest haven’t been fully explained.

After being taken to New River Valley Regional Jail, Morrison was released on his own recognizance, as stated in the prison records. Serving as the mayor of a historic town with a population of about 750, Morrison was elected in November following a write-in campaign where 77 of the 106 votes cast were for him, according to local media outlet Cardinal News.

This election followed a notable leadership shake-up in the town, where five out of six Town Council members and the previous mayor resigned abruptly amid reports of internal conflicts and a hostile work environment. Former Mayor Anne Chambers indicated that issues within the council played a significant role in her resignation.

The authorities, including the Giles County Sheriff’s Office and the New River Valley Regional Jail, have been contacted for further information on the matter.