Mother takes blame for 26-year-old son after boy hit by car, police charge

By Amelia A. Pridemore
Register-Herald Reporter

April 09, 2008 10:58 am

— A Nicholas County woman faces criminal charges after sheriff’s deputies say she lied to them, telling them she — not her son — struck a 12-year-old pedestrian.
Shirley Gilles, 64, who lives near Woodbine Road in Craigsville, is expected to be charged with filing a false police report, according to the sheriff’s department. Her 26-year-old son, Justin Gilles, same address, is expected to be charged with driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident with bodily injury and filing a false police report.
Neither Shirley Gilles nor Justin Gilles has been arrested, but criminal complaints have been filed in Nicholas Magistrate Court, sheriff’s Chief Deputy Wayne Plummer said.
Around 6:30 a.m. Monday, a 12-year-old boy was reportedly walking alongside Woodbine Road in Craigsville, en route to school, Plummer said. A 2003 Hyundai Tiburon driven by Justin Gilles struck the boy. Justin Gilles left the scene and returned with his mother. Shirley Gilles then told deputies she was the driver responsible.
However, deputies investigated the incident further and found an eyewitness, Plummer said. Justin Gilles was confronted with the eyewitness’ information and deputies obtained a confession. Justin Gilles said he did not want to get into trouble for driving with a suspended license.
“But now, it’s going to be worse,” Plummer said. “We are treating this seriously.”
The 12-year-old struck was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center via HealthNet helicopter. Plummer said the boy sustained facial injuries and was in stable condition.
— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com