MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A man is facing several charges, including grand larceny, after an attempt to steal a four-wheeler and leaving a victim critically injured in Mingo County.

According to a criminal complaint, Brandon Bragg and another man went to a home in Mingo County to steal a red four-wheeler worth more than $1,000 on May 18.

The two men pulled the four-wheeler from the residence with Bragg’s Chevrolet Silverado to Bragg’s home with a tow strap, the criminal complaint states.

The criminal complaint states the two men were able to pull the four-wheeler up the road to the top of Horsepen Mountain, but the four-wheeler wrecked.

The man with Bragg was then thrown from the four-wheeler onto the pavement, where he suffered life-threatening injuries — making him incapacitated due to those injuries, according to the criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint states Bragg then loaded the man into his vehicle and took him to another home.

After a witness at the scene called 911, Bragg left with the man still in his vehicle instead of waiting on EMS and without giving him medical aid, the criminal complaint states.

The man is currently in the hospital. According to the criminal complaint, his family states he’s being kept alive for organ donation.

Bragg was charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to grand larceny, crashes involving death or personal injuries under Erin’s Law, and abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult.

His bond is set for $100,000, cash-only.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is reaching out to make citizens aware of a “satire” post on social media stating that West Virginians will need to retake their driver’s examinations. There is no such policy.

The post uses DMV’s logo and may appear real to some social media users. It states that written, skills and vision tests will be repeated due to a “vision screening law” and drivers who do not pass the tests within 30 days of a failed test will have their license suspended. It provides a “rollout plan” and an “official statement,” then, at the end, contains the word “satire.”

DMV is reaching out through its media partners to let the public know there is no such program. Drivers are not being asked to retake tests they have already passed.

Citizens who have questions can reach DMV at 800-642-9066 from anywhere in the state or stop by one of its regional offices. By phone or in person, DMV customers will be treated as welcomed guests and communications from the real DMV will not seek to make readers feel alarmed.

The mission of the Division of Motor Vehicles is to provide essential motor vehicle and driver services, facilitate interstate travel by promoting reciprocity for West Virginia vehicles and drivers in other states, promote highway safety and collect revenue for highway maintenance and construction programs. For more information and tools for motorists, visit the DMV website.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Supreme Court Chief Justice Haley Bunn appeared before U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver many times during her career as an assistant U.S. Attorney.

“I’ll remember the warm regard for how much care he took for practitioners, litigants, juries, he was so amazing with a jury, and just fond memories of the wonderful times I had in his courtroom,” Bunn said.

Copenhaver was remembered in a funeral service Wednesday morning in Charleston. He died last week at the age of 100.

Copenhaver was known for his detailed decisions. Bunn said during a recent appearance on MetroNews “Talkline” that thoroughness was a comfort to a prosecutor.

“His overturn rate was about two percent which is unprecedented over his decades on the bench,” Bunn said. “He covered every base. He made sure that every nook and cranny was addressed. It made you feel almost safe in front of him as a practitioner, you knew it was going to be right whatever the outcome.”

Copenhaver swore-in Bunn to her 12-year term on the Supreme Court on Dec. 30, 2024.

Copenhaver was appointed as a bankruptcy referee in 1958. President Gerald Ford nominated him to the federal bench in late August 1976, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate five days later. His time on the bench was just short of 50 years. He took senior status in 2018 but still carried a full caseload.

Bunn said she’ll take several things from Copenhaver’s life and career.

“To take absolute pride in your work, to do your absolute very best with every case, every case is important and every person involved in those cases is important,” Bunn said. “But while you’re doing your job and taking pride in your work you’re also being gracious to people in front of you.”