Pontotoc Trucker Sentenced in Drug-Fueled Chase

McNeel

BERKELEY COUNTY, W. Va. (WCBI) –A Pontotoc trucker driver apologizes to his victims for a three-state chase fueled by crystal meth two years ago.

A West Virginia judge sentenced 44-year-old Thomas McNeel to three to 10 years on 12 charges ranging from assault to fleeing the scene of an accident while under the influence.

His sentence will run concurrently with a 21-year sentence he received in Maryland earlier this year. He also must pay more than $5,400 in restitution and fines in West Virginia.

In December 2010, McNeel led police and state troopers on a chase along Interstate 81 from West Virginia, through Maryland into Pennsylvania, where he finally crashed.

During court hearings in each state, he’s apologized to victims who were injured in several accidents.