MORGANTOWN — A Westover man was arrested Oct. 24 after fleeing the scene of a reported domestic argument and getting into a fight with a Morgantown Police officer.
According to a release from Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston, at about 5:40 p.m. Oct. 24, officers responded to a report of a domestic fight in progress on White Avenue. As officers were arriving, the suspect — identified later as Stephen Earl Bennet, 30 — ran and was pursued by police.
Police say Bennet was confronted by another officer, who was in front of him near Brockway Avenue. Bennet was on a path several feet above the officer, the release states, and, upon seeing the officer, jumped from the elevated path onto the officer, causing them both to fall down the hillside.
During the fall, the officer struck his head on rocks at the foot of the hill, causing lacerations to his head. According to the release, Bennet continued to attack the officer in an attempt to get away. Following a brief physical struggle, he was handcuffed, and EMS was called to the scene.
The officer was transported to Mon General Hospital by other officers where he was treated for his injuries, which included a laceration to the officer’s head.
Bennet was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital for evaluation, where he was found to have consumed several controlled substances. He was admitted to the hospital because of the intoxicants and is currently under arrest, pending arraignment.
Bennet as been charged with possession of controlled substance, battery on law enforcement officer, fleeing and resisting arrest. He is awaiting discharge from medical treatment and will be arraigned at a later date. Additional charges could be pending.
