The man charged with leaving the scene of a deadly vehicle crash on June 7 in Dellslow waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on Monday afternoon.
David Blaine Emerson, 28, of Morgantown, was allegedly speeding away from a West Virginia State Trooper when he crossed the center line, struck another vehicle, and crashed into the parking lot shared by Homegrown Pizza and Creekside Motors.
The crash split Emerson’s car in two, killing a female passenger in his vehicle. Emerson quickly fled the scene, leading law enforcement on a several-hour manhunt. He was located later that day at a residence on Pixler Hill Road, where he was subsequently taken into custody.
At Monday’s hearing, defense attorney David DeMoss motioned for Emerson’s current bond of $250,000 to be reduced to $10,000 citing no significant criminal record prior to the crash and a placement in an addiction recovery center upon release.
Assistant prosecutor Robert Zak argued the purpose of a bond is two-fold, to protect society and ensure the defendant’s attendance at future hearings. Due to the fact Emerson fled the scene of a fatal accident, Zak believed the current $250,000 bond was appropriate.
Magistrate Sandy Holepit denied the bond reduction.
Emerson’s case will now be transferred to Monongalia County Circuit Court where the charges will be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment in September.
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