Man cited for vandalizing Huntington Pride crosswalk says he has no regrets
WCHS (archive.ph)
By Dave Benton
2024-06-19 14:42:00GMT
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — A man who claims responsibility for peeling out and leaving tire marks on the Huntington Pride crosswalk insists he has no regrets.
A video has gone viral on social media just days after Huntington's Pride Committee and members of the community created an art installation in downtown Huntington.
“I was in the truck. Yeah, I did it,” Patrick Salmons, the man involved who identified himself to Eyewitness News, said. “Yeah, my foot was on the gas and my foot was on the brake, but did I go out of my way to do it? No.”
Eyewitness News asked the man if he regretted his actions.
"I'll stand behind it for as long as I live," he said. "I have no regrets."
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said he refuses to say the man’s name.
“If somebody is doing something positive in the community, I will stand at the top of the building to scream their name,” Williams said. “If somebody comes in and tries to do things to deface beautiful things in our community, they're not worth it. I'd like to take him over my knee and wear him out.”
Eyewitness News asked what motivated the Salmons to vandalize the crosswalk.
I’ve grown up, old south country family. I was always raised as if that wasn’t right,” he said. “I’m 21 years old. I’ve had to deal with that kind of stuff through school. I’ve never caused any trouble through school but when your bring it to me, a place of business, basically bringing it to your face or stuff like that, it’s upsetting and it’s just wrong.”
The city released this statement Monday afternoon:
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WCHS (archive.ph)
By Dave Benton
2024-06-19 14:42:00GMT
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — A man who claims responsibility for peeling out and leaving tire marks on the Huntington Pride crosswalk insists he has no regrets.
A video has gone viral on social media just days after Huntington's Pride Committee and members of the community created an art installation in downtown Huntington.
“I was in the truck. Yeah, I did it,” Patrick Salmons, the man involved who identified himself to Eyewitness News, said. “Yeah, my foot was on the gas and my foot was on the brake, but did I go out of my way to do it? No.”
Eyewitness News asked the man if he regretted his actions.
"I'll stand behind it for as long as I live," he said. "I have no regrets."
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said he refuses to say the man’s name.
“If somebody is doing something positive in the community, I will stand at the top of the building to scream their name,” Williams said. “If somebody comes in and tries to do things to deface beautiful things in our community, they're not worth it. I'd like to take him over my knee and wear him out.”
Eyewitness News asked what motivated the Salmons to vandalize the crosswalk.
I’ve grown up, old south country family. I was always raised as if that wasn’t right,” he said. “I’m 21 years old. I’ve had to deal with that kind of stuff through school. I’ve never caused any trouble through school but when your bring it to me, a place of business, basically bringing it to your face or stuff like that, it’s upsetting and it’s just wrong.”
The city released this statement Monday afternoon:
City code outlines the offense:Huntington police identified the driver responsible for the June 12th incident at the intersection of Tenth Street and Fourth Avenue. A 21-year-old Huntington man has been cited for section 349.12 of the city code - 'squealing tires.'
City leaders asked if additional charges are pending and sent the following statement to Eyewitness News:No person shall unnecessarily race the motor of any vehicle and, in such a manner that the vehicle is so rapidly accelerated or started from a stopped position that the exhaust system emits a loud, cracking or chattering noise unusual to its normal operation, or whereby the tires of such vehicle squeal or leave tire marks on the roadway, commonly called ‘peeling.’
Mayor Williams has said to follow the rule of law. With that said, the process has not been completed. We expect that we will be pleased with the outcome and see that justice is served and that destruction of public property will not be tolerated.
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