Killed by someone arrested 21 times since 2012 – Not that funny

As Staff Satirist, I try to keep my comments on the funny side. However, this incident is just too sad and makes me too angry to do that. On a beautiful spring day, June 6, 33-year-old John Cunningham was enjoying his day riding his motorcycle on Strasburg Road.

Suddenly, Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a fatal head-on collision between a car and a motorcycle that occurred late Sunday morning, June 6, on Strasburg Road (Route 55 West). A Toyota pickup truck driven by Charles J. Corathers, who has been charged with being under the influence of drugs at the time, crossed the centerline and killed Mr. Cunningham.

Corathers was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving on a revoked license, possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II drugs, and possession of paraphernalia. In at least one man’s opinion, a charge of vehicular homicide should be added. However, a several-year pattern of lack of judicial action makes that only a vague possibility.

What makes this even more tragic is who Corathers is.

Charles Joshua Corathers, 30, of Front Royal. Photo/RSW Jail website

According to the General District Court database, he has been arrested over twenty times. Starting in Sept. 2012, he was arrested for drinking in a bar while in possession of a concealed weapon. According to General and Circuit Court District records, since then he has been charged with possession of marijuana, two charges of failure to obey a court order, twice for DWI, five times for possession of a controlled substance, one charge of forging a banknote, one child abuse, cruelty to a child, possession to distribute I/II controlled substances, two charges of possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance precursor, and one possession of I/II controlled substance and one of oxymorphone.

“On September 29, 2019, A Wednesday morning welfare check on a 4-year-old boy by Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies led to the arrest of the child’s parents after police found what they believe to be a methamphetamine lab at the home.” Deputies arriving at the residence in the 1900 block of Drummer Hill Road found “a large amount of trash, items consistent with manufacturing methamphetamine and a possible methamphetamine lab on the front porch of the residence,” according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Charles Joshua Corathers, 27, and Valerie Funk, 27, were in the home, along with their 4-year-old son, the release said.

Deputies also found “drugs, drug paraphernalia, and meth-making ingredients inside the home,” according to the statement.

So why in June 2021 was he able to drive a vehicle on a state road, and kill a person, better yet? Why was he even on the loose? It’s not the fault of the law enforcement agencies – they continue to arrest him only to see him bounce back out on the street. Clearly, he is not the only one with a record like this, but he becomes a classic example of a judicial system more interested in making plea deals than bringing a person to the full extent of justice. True, holding a trial is expensive, but what is the cost of a life? Interestingly, the two charges regarding child abuse were dropped.

One of the old sayings about Front Royal is that “it is impossible to go to jail.” Amongst the many one-liners that we hear, this one appears true, at least for any meaningful amount of time.