PRESTON COUNTY, W.Va. – A crash Friday in Preston County resulted to serious injuries to eight people and two arrests.
Investigators from the Preston County Sheriff’s Department said a utility van with only two front seat belts that had four adults and four children ranging in age from 1 to 11-years old rolled over on I-68. Two of the four adults and all four children were riding in the back of the van where police said there were several objects that could become hazards in a rollover crash. All vehicle occupants were transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital for treatment of various injuries.
Police arrested Tabitha Robinson, 35, and Amanda Hovermale, 22, both of Hagerstown, Maryland, for gross child neglect with risk of serious bodily injury. Preston County prosecutors asked the court to set bond at $250,000 due to the seriousness of the crime and their out-of-state residency.
Preston County Magistrate Bo Ward set bond for both at $250,000. However, Robinson’s first court appearance was in Monongalia County where Magistrate Phillip Gaujot issued a personal recognizance bond so the woman could be with her children. That was reversed after officials from Preston County met with Gaujot.
Both women are being held in the North Central Regional Jail.
No information about the conditions for those injured has been released.
The investigation is ongoing and police are looking for any information from the public about the crash. Information can be left confidentially by calling 304-329-1611.