Morgan County Sheriff’s Department has charged a Hedgesville man in connection with a crash that took place on Monday, November 3 around 1:30 a.m. in Berkeley Springs.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court by Deputy R.W. Diehl, the driver of a blue truck was observed spinning wheels and revving the engine, making the rear end cross into the northbound lane, as he turned south onto N. Washington Street from the 7-11 parking lot.
The driver, identified as Daniel S. Spielman, 20, of Hedgesville, proceeded to turn right on Union Street, and continued south on Wilkes Street, when Deputy Diehl initiated a traffic stop.
With his lights and sirens on, Deputy Diehl observed the truck run the stop sign at Wilkes and Fairfax streets, and continue at a high rate of speed until crashing at the turn between Cornelius and Whisner avenues, according to the criminal complaint.
Spielman then ran on foot from the crash into the woods on the left side of the road toward Vangoshen Lane, until Deputy Diehl eventually caught up and detained him.
Spielman smelled of alcohol, and was slurring his words, according to the criminal complaint.
He claimed he was at 7-11 visiting his grandma who lives nearby, and admitted to doing a burnout coming out of the parking lot because his “grandma likes it.”
Spielman denied seeing the police cruiser coming after him, but admitted to intentionally running after the crash, saying he knew he was in trouble, according to the criminal complaint.
Spielman was arrested and charged with fleeing DUI.
He is incarcerated at Eastern Regional Jail on a $7,500 bond while awaiting a hearing.
