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Two women remained in North Central Regional Jail Tuesday, after being arrested following a one-vehicle accident Friday.
The two were charged with gross child neglect with risk of serious bodily injury following a crash on Interstate 68 that left multiple people, including four children, injured.
On Friday, Preston County Sheriff’s deputies responded to I-68 for a reported roll-over crash.
Upon arrival, officers found a utility van carrying eight passengers, including four children ranging in age from 1-11 years. The van was only equipped with two front seats and no back seats. The back of the van, where two of the four adults and all four children were riding, was not equipped with any seats and none of the children were secured in any child seats.
According the a press release from the sheriff’s office, the van also contained a variety of objects that posed a serious risk of injury to unrestrained occupants, during a roll-over type collision.
All occupants of the vehicle were transported to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, where they were or continue to be treated for varying degrees of serious injuries.
As result of investigation, arrest warrants were obtained for the two guardians of the children — Tabitha Robinson, 35, and Amanda Hovermale, 22, both of Hagerstown, Md., for gross child neglect with risk of serious bodily injury.
Once released from the hospital, both were arrested. Due to the serious nature of the charges, further risk posed to the victims and their out-of-state residency, Preston County Prosecuting Attorney, James Shay, requested the court set bond at $250,000 for each of the defendants.
Preston County Magistrate Bo Ward set bail for both defendants in that amount; however, during Robinson’s initial appearance in Monongalia County before Magistrate Gaujot, he indicated he was inclined to set a personal recognizance bond so she could be with her children.
Ultimately, after discussions with Ward and Capt. Tichnell, Gaujot agreed to set bail for both defendants in the amount of $250,000.
Hovermale and Robinson were at the North Central Regional Jail as of Tuesday morning.
The Preston County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene and with the investigation by the West Virginia State Police, Bruceton-Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department, Bruceton Ambulance Service, KAMP Ambulance, Terra Alta EMS and Garrett County, Md., EMS.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. If you have any information about this matter, contact the Preston County Sheriff’s Office at 304-329-1611.
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