Mayor Paul Morrison arrested after allegedly arriving drunk at train wreck
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A recently elected mayor of a small town in Virginia was arrested Tuesday for allegedly arriving at the site of a train derailment while intoxicated, according to local reports.
Paul Morrison, the 57-year-old mayor of Rich Creek, was taken into custody on public drunkenness charges, WSLS reported. reportedciting prison records.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) said the train derailment occurred in the afternoon near Rich Creek on the border of West Virginia and Virginia.
The agency added that parts of the incident were reported in West Virginia and that the train was owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad.
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A locomotive, Norfolk Southern Corp. drives his train through a section in Superior, W.Va., Oct. 19, 2017. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg)
Contaminants from soybean oil have been reported to be leaching. Authorities confirmed that the incident was harmless and teams were continuing rescue operations.
Morrison reportedly appeared drunk after the incident and was later arrested by Giles County Sheriff’s Office deputies, WSLS reported, citing sources.
Details of what led to the incident and Morrison’s arrest are not yet clear.
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A train passes by the river. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis)
He was taken to New River Valley Regional Jail and later released on his own recognizance, the outlet added.
Morrison is the mayor of a small, historic town with a population of about 750 people.
A parked patrol car. (Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department)
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He reportedly became mayor in November after a write-in campaign. Of the 106 votes cast, 77 handwritten in Morrison’s name: based on to local outlet Cardinal News.
His victory followed a recent leadership change in the small community, where five of the six Rich Creek City Council members abruptly resigned, as did the previous mayor, who was appointed in early 2025, media reported.
Former Mayor Anne Chambers said her resignation came after infighting and a hostile work environment reached a breaking point, according to Cardinal News.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Rich Creek, the Giles County Sheriff’s Office and the New River Valley Regional Jail for more information.
