WALHALLA, S.C. - A 66-year-old man from Lockesburg, Arkansas, identified as Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, has been apprehended by authorities after allegedly attempting to crash through the exit gates of the Oconee Nuclear Station in South Carolina. Whisenhunt was taken into custody on Friday night at an abandoned home in Pickens County and has since been transferred to the Oconee County sheriff's office, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

Whisenhunt is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, malicious injury to personal property, and unlawful entry into an enclosed place. The arrest warrant reveals that Whisenhunt accelerated his vehicle towards a Duke Energy security officer with the intention of causing harm or death while on the nuclear station grounds.

Authorities also allege that Whisenhunt caused damage to the gates and fencing of the facility's secured area by striking them with his vehicle. Furthermore, he is accused of trespassing onto the property of the nuclear station without authorization.

In a separate incident, Whisenhunt has been charged with one count of hit and run after he was involved in a crash with another vehicle and failed to remain at the scene. The details of this incident are yet to be disclosed.

The incident at the Oconee Nuclear Station occurred approximately an hour after security personnel had asked the same car, bearing an Arkansas license plate, to leave when it tried to enter. The vehicle was eventually stopped by a pop-up security barrier at around 8 p.m. on Thursday. Despite efforts to block the vehicle, the driver reversed and proceeded down a dirt road, attempting to strike the guards. Ultimately, the driver crashed through a fence, fleeing from the nuclear plant property. Thankfully, no security staff members were injured during the incident, Duke Energy confirmed.

The motive behind Whisenhunt's alleged actions at the nuclear plant remains unknown at this time. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident to determine the full extent of Whisenhunt's intentions and any potential threats posed to the safety and security of the facility.

Local residents near Seneca, South Carolina, expressed their concern over the incident, emphasizing the importance of stringent security measures in protecting such sensitive locations. Duke Energy has assured the public that their safety procedures were followed, resulting in no harm to individuals or significant disruption to the nuclear plant's operations.

As this case progresses, authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding Whisenhunt or the incident at the Oconee Nuclear Station to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.