By Kelsie LeRose
Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The Fairview Volunteer Fire Department chief and two other members are among four who were arrested after allegedly covering up a vehicle accident over the weekend.
According to information gathered by Deputy Brian Hawkins with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and filed in a criminal complaint, events began at 1:18 a.m. Saturday at 4405 Crossroads Rd. in Fairview.
Steven Gillespie, chief of the Fairview VFD, was driving a truck that struck a guardrail, which caused his axel to detach from the vehicle and caused damage to the road and another vehicle, the complaint said.
Joey Gillespie, also a member of the fire department, first reported a vehicle accident and then stated it was only a disabled vehicle and that the law enforcement was not needed, according to the criminal complaint.
The criminal complaint said Steven Gillespie advised by radio that he was on scene and it was only a disabled vehicle. He also said that a tow truck was already contacted.
Mark Wolfe, who is also with the fire department, was also on scene, observed the accident and reported the tow truck on scene, the complaint said.
Wolfe then got in an argument with Charles Pollack when Pollack tried to get them not to take Gillespie’s vehicle and questioned why law enforcement wasn’t contacted, the complaint said.
John Dobbins, owner of Dobbins Service Center in Fairview, transported Gillespie’s damaged vehicle and Steven Gillespie from the scene back to the Gillespie residence and then came back for the axle, the complaint said.
According to the criminal complaint, Steven Gillespie, Joey Gillespie, Mark Wolfe and John Dobbins conspired to cover up a vehicle accident that was caused by Steven Gillespie, who was believed to be intoxicated.
The four removed the vehicle and evidence from the scene and attempted to keep law enforcement from becoming aware of the wreck with property damage, the complaint added.
Wolfe is being charged with conspiring to commit a misdemeanor and obstructing/resisting an officer.
If convicted, Wolfe could face confinement in the county jail for no more than a year, fined no more than $1,000 or both for the conspiring to commit a misdemeanor. For obstructing/resisting an officer, Wolfe could face a fine between $50 and $500, confined in jail for no more than a year or both.
Steven Gillespie was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, obstructing an officer, failure to report an accident and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor offense against the state.
Criminal complaints are not yet available for Joey Gillespie, Steven Gillespie and Dobbins.
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