CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A West Virginia state trooper ended up in Ruby Memorial Hospital Thursday after the Preston County 911 center lost communication with him and his car was later found to have been in an accident.

Preston County officials refuse to release information about the accident from the 911 communications center, though such information is routinely released as public records in Kanawha County.

Preston Prosecuting Attorney Mel Snyder said he looked at the law, and would not release the information without a subpoena.

"If you don't like it, sue us," he said.

Trooper J.R. Martin, of the Kingwood detachment, was involved in a single-vehicle accident on County Route 26, according to a news release by State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous.

Martin's injuries didn't appear to be in serious nature, Baylous said.

An "internal inquiry" is currently looking at the circumstances surrounding the vehicle crash, Baylous said.

"We don't want to say anything more at this time, until all the facts are clear," he said.

Attempts to get copies or transcripts of Thursday evening's 911 transmissions to and from the State Police and Preston County's 911 center were unsuccessful.

Preston County Office of Emergency Management Director Duane Hamilton said it was the county's policy to tapes only to 911 callers unless another party obtains a subpoena.

Preston County officials refuse to release information about the accident from the 911 communications center, though such information is routinely released as public records in Kanawha County.

Preston Prosecuting Attorney Mel Snyder said he looked at the law, and would not release the information without a subpoena.

"If you don't like it, sue us," he said.

Trooper J.R. Martin, of the Kingwood detachment, was involved in a single-vehicle accident on County Route 26, according to a news release by State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous.

Martin's injuries didn't appear to be in serious nature, Baylous said.

An "internal inquiry" is currently looking at the circumstances surrounding the vehicle crash, Baylous said.

"We don't want to say anything more at this time, until all the facts are clear," he said.

Attempts to get copies or transcripts of Thursday evening's 911 transmissions to and from the State Police and Preston County's 911 center were unsuccessful.

Preston County Office of Emergency Management Director Duane Hamilton said it was the county's policy to tapes only to 911 callers unless another party obtains a subpoena.

In 2001, the Legislature tried to pass a bill prohibiting the release of 911 records without a court order or subpoena. Emergency services center directors pushed the bill, insisting they wanted to protect the privacy of 911 callers.

The bill didn't pass. In 2002 a bill did pass that made the identities of those who call 911 to report crimes confidential.

In Kanawha County, 911 information is routinely given out, with a few exceptions, such as health records, said Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper.

"I don't understand why those that have the privilege of serving the public don't allow the public to see those records," Carper said. "As long as I hold public office, the public won't have to get on its knees and beg to see public records."

Snyder said he "didn't have time" to say where in state code it says that such information isn't open to the public.

According to State Code 24-6-13, "a person or entity may obtain, without court order or a valid subpoena, a transcription of a call for emergency service reporting alleged criminal conduct."

Carper said records in Kanawha County also wouldn't be released if they would affect an open criminal investigation. Baylous said the investigation into what happened with Martin Thursday evening is not a criminal investigation.

"In Florida, they release the Tiger Woods [Thanksgiving accident] tapes the next day, and you can't get something like that in Preston County," Carper said. "That's wrong, wrong, wrong."

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.