A Fayetteville man is in custody following a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred in Elkins. on July 1.
Elkins Police Officers responded to 2500 N. Center St. (Hwy 16) on a report of a single vehicle motorcycle accident in the area of the Elkins Sports Complex on tha date. Once Officers arrived on scene, they located an adult male with critical injuries, and his motorcycle, in the ditch along N. Center St.
No additional vehicles were located at the scene. The injured male, identified as Scott Stidman, was transported to a local hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. Elkins Police Officers Brandon Uptain and David Putman were assigned to investigate the accident.
After countless hours of investigation and follow up, Officers Uptain and Putnam were able to determine that a second vehicle on N. Center St., traveling in the opposite direction of the Mr. Stidman, actually stuck the motorcycle causing the accident. The driver and vehicle then fled the scene after the accident leaving Mr. Stidman in the ditch.
During the investigation, Officers Uptain and Putnam were able to identify and locate the vehicle that caused the accident. Officers Uptain and Putnam were also able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Nicholas Lee Emerson, but were unable to locate Emerson due to him fleeing the area.
An arrest warrant was issued for Emerson and on July 20 and after he was was located in Hot Springs he was immediately placed under arrest.
