A quiet Virginia town is reeling after a shocking arrest. Paul Morrison, the newly elected mayor of Rich Creek, found himself in jail Tuesday, accused of arriving at the scene of a train derailment while intoxicated.
The derailment occurred in the afternoon, near the Virginia-West Virginia border. The train, operated by Norfolk Southern Railway, spilled its cargo – soybean oil – though officials quickly determined the substance posed no significant hazard to the environment.
But the incident quickly took a bizarre turn. Witnesses reported Morrison, 57, appearing at the scene visibly impaired. Deputies from the Giles County Sheriff’s Office promptly took him into custody on a charge of public intoxication.
Morrison’s path to the mayor’s office was already unconventional. He won the November election through a remarkable write-in campaign, securing 77 out of 106 votes cast. Residents literally wrote his name onto the ballots.
His victory came at a time of upheaval for Rich Creek, a town of just 750 people steeped in history. A wave of resignations had recently swept through the town council, with five of six members and the previous mayor stepping down.
The former mayor, Anne Chambers, cited internal conflicts and a deeply hostile work environment as the reason for her departure. The sudden leadership vacuum paved the way for Morrison’s unexpected ascent.
Following his arrest, Morrison was booked into the New River Valley Regional Jail, but was later released on his own recognizance. Details surrounding the events leading to his arrest remain unclear, leaving the community searching for answers.
The incident casts a shadow over Rich Creek, a town already navigating a period of significant change. The arrest of its newly elected mayor has undoubtedly deepened the sense of uncertainty and unrest within the small community.
