MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Hedgesville man has been arrested and charged in the death of a woman in a hit and run incident from 2020.
The nearly five-year cold case in Berkeley County caught a break this month when a tip from a neighboring jurisdiction got the investigation going again.
Charles Edward Orrison, Sr., 54 of Hedgesville faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in death.
December 21, 2020 around 5:52 p.m. Corporal Anaya of the sheriff’s office responded to a fatal vehicle crash on Blairton Road. Later, deputies discovered a vehicle that was traveling northbound had lost control, left the roadway, and collided with a residence located at 894 Blairton Road.
When the vehicle crashed, it went into the home and resulted in the death of Elva Bittori, 76. According to Chief Deputy Eric Burnett, “Despite a thorough investigation over several months, the case went cold.”
That changed a few weeks ago when Ranson Chief of Police Bobby Miller contacted Berkeley County Sheriff Robert Blair about newly obtained information related to the incident.
Berkeley Country Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigator Deputy Dennis Jenkins looked into the new lead and conducted additional investigations, leading the investigation to Orrison.
“Chief Miller’s willingness to share critical information demonstrates how effective law enforcement partnerships can bring long-awaited answers,” Sheriff Blair said. “This arrest does not erase the loss felt by the Bittori family, but we hope it brings them a measure of closure after years of uncertainty.”
Orrison is currently being held at the Eastern Regional Jail with no bond.
