A West Virginia State Police trooper found himself in a fight for his life while making an arrest this week.
Trooper J.J. Cornelius was attempting to take 27-year-old Nathaniel Wegman into custody on an outstanding warrant when the suspect fled on foot, according to MetroNews.
Officials said that when Cornelius caught up to Wegman, the suspect jumped into Mill Creek.
West Virginia State Police Spokesman Lt. Michael Baylous said that a struggle ensued and caused the trooper to fall and hit his head.
"When he did, Mr. Wegman attempted to choke him, drown him, and to murder him right there."
While his head was being held underwater by his throat, the trooper was unable to reach his gun, which was pinned under his body and instead he grabbed his knife and stabbed the suspet several times.
"He was able to stab him a couple of times in the abdomen area and the chin," Baylous told the news outlet. "It caused some pretty significant wounds."
Wegman, wh owas wounded and bleeding, left the scene in a vehicle driven by Laura Lynn, while a bystander came to the aid of Cornelius, who was still in the water.
"It's my understanding he had either lost conciousness at one point or was about to lose conciousness," Baylous said. "Had it not been for this person who came and helped him, he very likely could have drowned."
Troopers tracked down Lynn's car and she was arrested and charged with attempted murder and accessory after the fact. Wegman fled deeper into the woods and was soon captured by troopers.
He was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown for treatment of serious stab wounds, but is expected to recover and will be charged with attempted murder.
Cornelius is on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery.
"He's doing rather well, all things considered," Baylous said. "We're very, very fortunate that today we’re not planning a funeral."
