Virginia Mayor Arrested: Alleged Intoxication at Train Derailment Scene Sparks Controversy

A newly elected mayor in a Virginia town found himself in legal trouble on Tuesday after allegedly arriving at a train derailment site under the influence, as reported by local media outlets.

Paul Morrison, 57, who serves as the mayor of Rich Creek, was arrested and charged with public intoxication. The arrest was confirmed by WSLS, which referenced information from jail records.

The derailment took place in the afternoon near the town of Rich Creek, located on the Virginia-West Virginia border, according to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP).

The WVDEP further noted that some aspects of the derailment were reported on the West Virginia side. The train involved was operated by Norfolk Southern Railway.

A Norfolk Southern Corp. train, similar to the one involved, is shown navigating through a site in Superior, West Virginia, back on October 19, 2017. (Photo credit: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg)

Contaminants of soybean oil had reportedly leaked. Officials confirmed it was considered non-hazardous and that crews are conducting recovery operations. 

After the incident, Morrison reportedly showed up intoxicated and was subsequently arrested by deputies with the Giles County Sheriff’s Office, WSLS said, citing sources.

Details of what led to the incident and Morrison’s arrest are not immediately clear.

A trains travel alongside a river. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis)

He was taken to the New River Valley Regional Jail and later released on his own recognizance, according to jail records, the outlet added. 

Morrison is the mayor of a small, historic town with a population of roughly 750 people.

A parked patrol vehicle. (Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department)

He reportedly became mayor in November after a write-in campaign. Out of 106 votes cast, 77 residents manually wrote in Morrison’s name, according to local outlet Cardinal News.

His victory follows a recent leadership shakeup in the small community, where five of six Rich Creek Town Council members, as well as the previous mayor appointed in early 2025, abruptly resigned, the outlet reported.

Former Mayor Anne Chambers said her resignation came after internal conflicts and a hostile work environment reached a breaking point, according to Cardinal News.

Fox News Digital reached out to Rich Creek, Giles County Sheriff’s Office and the New River Valley Regional Jail for more information.