Update: On the evening of July 12, 2018, Officers of the Morgantown Police Department working with members of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and Clarksburg Police Department were able to locate the suspect vehicle. Currently the vehicle is in police custody and is being processed.
No further information is currently available, but updates will be provided when they are available.
Anyone having information in this case or any other criminal information may call the TIPS Line at 304-284-7520 anonymously.
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Original Release:
On July 6,2018 at approximately 11:15 p.m. officers of the Morgantown Police Department as well as the Morgantown Fire Department responded to Earl Core Road (WV Rt. 7) in reference to a hit and run involving a person on a bicycle. Based on a preliminary investigation and witness statements, a male was riding a bicycle west on Earl Core Road when he was struck from behind by a motor vehicle traveling in the same direction. The vehicle continued traveling west on Earl Core Road ( WV Rt. 7) toward the downtown area. The bicyclist received serious injuries and was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital. At 5:37 a.m. on July 7 the bicyclist, Divante Coles, a 20 year old male from Morgantown, was pronounced deceased due to the injuries received in the crash.
The vehicle involved is described as a dark, possibly black Chrysler/Dodge sedan. The vehicle should have front end damage with the driver’s side headlamp not functioning. Police are continuing to investigate this incident and will provide updated information to media sources as it becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Morgantown Police Department at 304-284-7522. If you need immediate Police attention or a crime is in progress call 911.