UPDATE 9/30/19 @ 11 a.m.

A man charged with two counts of attempted murder was arraigned Monday morning.

Richard Thorton, 27, of Parkersburg, allegedly chased medics with a knife Saturday night.

According to the criminal complaint, deputies responded to a call about a suspicious person near the old Herbert Hoover High School in Elkview. That is where Thorton told deputies he was high on methamphetamine and possibly bath salts. Due to Thorton's condition, medics were called to the scene and it was planned for Thorton to be taken to CAMC General.

In the ambulance, Thorton was allegedly unable to sit still and continued to unbuckle the fasteners of the ambulance's cot. When the medic tried to treat Thorton, he pulled a knife from his rear pocket and tried to stab the medic. This caused the driver to slam on the brakes.

Thorton then allegedly escaped the ambulance through the side door and chased the paramedics with the knife as they were trying to get him back into the ambulance. He allegedly chased them in the southbound lanes of the interstate.

Investigators later found and arrested Thorton at a nearby gas station, and found a pocket knife in his possession.

Thorton's pretrial date has been set for Oct. 2 and his bond has been set at $100,000 cash only.

One medic was taken to the hospital for chest pains after the incident.

ORIGINAL STORY 9/28/19 @ 10:30 p.m.

One man is being charged with two counts of attempted murder after chasing medics with a knife on the interstate near the Elkview exit, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies say Richard Thorton indicated he was on meth and possibly bath salts near the old Herbert Hoover High School around 7 p.m. Saturday.

He was then taken by Kanawha County medics to the hospital, but while in the ambulance, he pulled a concealed knife out. The driver slammed on the brakes and both medics in the back jumped out. Deputies say Thorton then jumped out of the ambulance and chased one medic on the interstate.

Deputies were able to secure the medic and arrest Thorton.

One medic was taken to the hospital for chest pains after the incident.