BARBOUR COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A 50-year-old Moatsville man is facing multiple charges following a hit-and-run incident on Route 57 that escalated into threats and an alleged assault on an emergency medical worker.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Barbour County, deputies responded to the intersection of WV Route 57 and Isaac Run on the afternoon of Aug. 15 after reports of a hit-and-run.
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Deputies say the suspect, identified as Preston Smith, was driving a Jeep that struck another vehicle.
An EMS crew transporting a patient at the time stopped at the scene and witnessed the accident.
The complaint states Smith got out of his vehicle and began yelling at the other driver, reportedly calling her derogatory names and threatening to kill her.
When the EMS worker told Smith that the crash had been reported to authorities, he allegedly said he was not going to wait for law enforcement and attempted to leave the scene.
As the EMS worker approached his Jeep to write down the license plate number, Smith allegedly blocked the plate, pushed the worker, and used profanity before driving away.
A nearby resident who heard the commotion also gave a statement, saying Smith was shouting threats at both the civilian driver and the EMS employee.
Based on the investigation, Smith has been charged with battery on EMS personnel, assault, and leaving the scene of an accident.
He is currently out on bond.
