The Hardy County Sheriff's Office shared details Tuesday morning about a chase that spanned several hours last week, ending with the death of a Virginia man.
Authorities first learned about a man escaping from police in Rockingham County, Virginia, and entering Pendleton County at about 11:15 a.m. on April 18, according to a news release.
Though the sheriff's office in Hardy will not identify the suspect until its investigation is complete, two other agencies identified the man as Casey Desper, of McGaheysville, Virginia, who was wanted on a probation violation.
Virginia authorities said Desper reached speeds of more than 100 mph, and he reportedly threw metal objects from his Jeep Cherokee and shattered the windshield on an officer's vehicle, the release states.
The Harrisonburg Police Department in Virginia said Desper threatened to "go out in a hail of gunfire," according to the release.
West Virginia authorities reportedly found Desper on U.S. 33 and then followed him toward Brandywine. Hardy County Sheriff Bryan Ward and his deputies joined the effort, along with the West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources officers. Pendleton County Sheriff Donald Hedrick also took part in the chase, the release states.
Though they lost sight of Desper, authorities later found him in a locked garage on Charlene Lane, according to the release.
As Ward and one of his deputies walked behind the garage, an engine started from inside. According to the release, Desper reversed into the back wall and then drove through the garage door as authorities stood on the other side. Desper allegedly continued through two fences, across a ravine and onto W.Va. 21 in Sugar Grove. Authorities scrambled to the nearest vehicles, such as a Hardy County deputy who rode in a conservation officer's truck.
The deputy and officer found Desper on Reddish Knob Road about two hours after the chase first started, the release states. Desper reportedly rammed his Jeep into the state truck several times, causing an airbag to inflate.
Desper continued to ram the truck as authorities tried to get outside to arrest him, according to the release. The deputy from Hardy County then shot Desper, who died after officers tried to perform CPR at about 1:45 p.m.
"No further statements will be provided until the investigation is complete," the release states.
Reach Giuseppe Sabella at giuseppe.sabella@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5189 or follow @Gsabella on Twitter.