(The Free Lance Star posted the following article by Keith Epps on its website on May 13.)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A Stafford County man was arrested Friday following a bizarre incident in which he nearly got hit by a train while trying to ride a bicycle along some railroad tracks, police said.
Sheriff Charles Jett said the 41-year-old suspect fell off his bike repeatedly while trying to pedal along the uneven railroad bed. This was after he played a game of “chicken” with an oncoming Virginia Railway Express train before getting out of the way at the last minute.
Following the train incident, deputies ran nearly a half mile along the tracks and apprehended the intoxicated suspect, Jett said.
According to Jett, deputies went to Walnut Farms Parkway about 4:30 p.m. in response to a call about a domestic altercation.
Deputies spoke to a woman who said there had been a verbal altercation but no physical assault. She said the suspect had left on a bicycle and was intoxicated.
Deputy D.M. Stout saw the suspect a short time later near the Leeland Road commuter-rail station. An approaching VRE train blew its whistle several times before the man finally moved to the side.
After speaking with the train conductor at the station, Stout began running after the man, who was at least a quarter of a mile ahead of Stout at this point.
Jett said the man kept falling off his bike as he tried to ride along the tracks. Each time, Jett said, he’d get back up and try it again.
The man looked back at oncoming deputies several times, but kept going, police said.
When Stout and Deputy Rob Pomeroy got within about 100 yards, they shouted that Pomeroy’s dog would be released if the man didn’t stop. The dog was released and the man finally stopped.
The dog held the suspect at bay until deputies took him into custody and walked him back to the Leeland Road station.
Jeffrey A. Buckner was charged with trespassing on railroad property, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice and being drunk in public.
Police also obtained an emergency protective order barring him from the home where the initial altercation took place.