An Arkansas man has been arrested after breaching security fences at the Oconee Nuclear Station in South Carolina, authorities confirmed on Friday. Doyle Wayne Whisenhunt, 66, was taken into custody by deputies from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. He is also wanted on drugs and weapons charges in Arkansas.
The incident began on Thursday when Whisenhunt allegedly drove his vehicle through the exit side of the gate at the Oconee Nuclear Station. After striking the pop-up barricades, he backed up and proceeded down a dirt road before attempting to hit security officers. He eventually drove through a fence and fled into Pickens County.
Authorities located an abandoned silver 2002 Toyota Camry believed to be involved in the incident. On Friday, Whisenhunt was found hiding in an abandoned building in the woods and was taken into custody without incident.
The motive behind Whisenhunt’s actions at the nuclear plant remains unclear. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest this was a domestic terroristic event.
The Oconee Nuclear Station, operated by Duke Energy, is one of the largest nuclear plants in the nation, housing three nuclear reactors. It has been generating electricity since 1973, producing over 500 million megawatt hours.
Whisenhunt now faces multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious injury to property, and attempted murder. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
