Larry Christopher Alderman arrested after driving through flood barricade on West Virginia road

Larry Christopher Alderman, 53, of French Creek, West Virginia, was arrested by Upshur County deputies after he ignored a flood‑related barricade on Stonecoal Road and entered the closed lane. Deputies warned him that the roadway was shut due to heavy equipment, work crews and hazardous conditions, but Alderman accelerated through the barricade, fled, and his vehicle eventually stopped against large boulders and equipment.

During the arrest Alderman allegedly head‑butted a deputy, resisted lawful commands and was tasered before being taken into custody. He has been charged with three counts of assault on a police officer, one count of battery on a police officer, four counts of obstructing an officer, fleeing from an officer in a motor vehicle and a DUI. The road remains closed 24 hours a day, with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia Division of Highways, the West Virginia National Guard, utility crews, the Division of Natural Resources Police and the State Police maintaining the closure to protect public safety and allow emergency repairs.