Cops and Courts, News

Man arrested for allegedly running over a bicyclist

MORGANTOWN — A man was arrested Saturday for allegedly running over a woman on a bicycle.

Christopher Sean Howard, 31, of Morgantown, is charged with malicious assault by the Morgantown Police Department.
Malicious assault is punishable by two to 10 years in prison.
Morgantown Police responded to a call of a cyclist hit by a car on Chestnut Ridge Road around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a press release.
A criminal complaint stated the victim, Amy Elizabeth Wolfe, was sitting on the sidewalk in front of Euro Suites Hotel. She told officers she had bought drugs from her dealer, Chris, with a street name of “Chow.” She said she was riding away on her bike when Chris chased her with his vehicle and ran her over. He then backed up and left, she said.
Chief Ed Preston said Monday, the type of drugs allegedly sold has not been determined and Wolfe, 39, has not been charged.
Wolfe told officers the incident happened behind the hotel. A bicycle, pair of shoes and backpack were found behind the hotel with tire tracks in the grass leading up to the bike. The bike’s handle bars and seat were damaged and grass was embedded in it, according to a criminal complaint.
A member of the Monongalia County Drug Task Force identified Chow as Howard, who was arrested about 8 p.m., at Second Amendment on Van Voorhis Road, the complaint stated.
Greg Gutta Jr., owner of Second Amendment, said the store was closed at the time, but a neighbor called him to ask what was going on.
Gutta checked his cameras remotely and said he saw a man walking across the parking lot, then a city police cruiser turning into the lot. The officer got out and had an exchange with the man and within minutes there were three additional cars, he said.
“It was real quick,” he said.
Howard lives on Southview Street, which is off of Van Voorhis, Preston said.