Man faces multiple charges following two-vehicle accident

Dec. 15--PRINCETON -- A Mercer County man is facing multiple charges after fleeing on foot from the scene of a two-vehicle accident near Princeton. The suspect was later located by authorities hiding inside of a closet.

Michael Hoops, 30 of Princeton, is charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, obstructing, no insurance, driving under suspension and failure to maintain control, according to Trooper D.C. Graham of the West Virginia State Police Princeton Detachment.

The accident was reported at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Route 460 and Willowbrook Road. There were no injuries in the crash. Both vehicles were a total loss.

Hoops, the at-fault driver, was operating a Dodge Avenger. Graham said Hoops fled from the scene of the accident on foot before police arrived on scene.

Troopers located Hoops several hours later hiding inside of a closet in a mobile home on Airport Road.

Hoops was arraigned on the charges later in the day by Mercer County Magistrate Mike Flanigan, who found no probable cause on the DUI charge, according to court officials. Flanigan did find probable cause on the leaving the scene of an accident, obstructing, no insurance, driving under suspension, failure to maintain control and no seat belt charges. Bond in the case was set at $5,000, and Hoops was later released on bond.

A second person, Sharon Tilley, 50, of Princeton, was arrested as a result of the investigation and charged with providing false information to the state police, Graham said.

The Princeton Rescue Squad and Green Valley Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the crash.

-- Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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