Martinsburg, WV – A wanted Berkeley County woman was arrested after a high-speed pursuit that crossed state lines Friday morning, ending on Interstate 81 in Virginia, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the chase began around 11:04 a.m. on January 30, 2026, when members of the U.S. Marshals Service Mountain State Fugitive Task Force spotted 37-year-old Whitley Branson driving a white Audi A6 in Martinsburg. Branson was wanted for violating probation on drug-related charges and for failing to appear in court on a DUI case.
According to deputies, Branson fled after officers attempted a traffic stop on King Street, heading south onto I-81 and crossing into Virginia near Exit 323. The pursuit continued with assistance from the Virginia State Police.
Investigators said Branson drove recklessly during the chase, cutting off vehicles and traveling on the shoulder before striking a snowbank, which slowed her car to about 40–50 mph. Deputies performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver to safely end the pursuit near Exit 323, where Branson was taken into custody.
Branson now faces fugitive and eluding charges in Virginia in addition to her existing West Virginia warrants.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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