US Man Arrested at South Carolina Nuclear Plant After Attempting to Break Through Gates
Authorities reported that an Arkansas man was taken into custody after he attempted to break past the gates of a nuclear power facility in South Carolina. In a press statement, the Oconee County sheriff’s office said that Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, of Lockesburg, Arkansas, was brought into custody in an abandoned residence in Pickens County, South Carolina, on Friday night.
In connection with the incident that occurred at the Oconee Nuclear Station on Thursday night, Whisenhunt, 66, has been charged on one count each of attempted murder, intentional damage to personal property, and unauthorized entrance into an enclosed location. According to an arrest warrant, Whisenhunt attempted to kill or injure a Duke Energy security guard by speeding his car at him while he was on the nuclear station property.
Authorities claim that Whisenhunt struck the fence and gates outside the facility’s restricted area with his car, causing damage to them. The indictments also state that Whisenhunt entered the nuclear station’s premises without permission.
According to the sheriff’s office, Whisenhunt was also charged with one count of hit-and-run in a different incident after he fled the scene of an accident involving another car. It was unclear whether Whisenhunt was represented by counsel. Text messages and emails sent to the suspect’s relative went unanswered.
About an hour had passed when the same automobile attempted to approach the nuclear facility in Seneca, South Carolina, and security requested it to leave, according to officials. At around 8 p.m. on Thursday, a pop-up security barrier at the site halted the automobile with an Arkansas license plate.
As security attempted to barricade them in, the driver attempted to drive down a gravel road by backing up. Authorities said that after attempting to strike the guards, the motorist drove over a gate and exited the nuclear facility grounds. According to Duke Energy, none of the security personnel were hurt. Three nuclear reactors make up the Oconee Nuclear Station, which was built on Lake Keowee and began producing electricity fifty years ago.
