On November 27, 2019 Metro 911 received calls reporting a car crashed into a house in the 4200 block of Washington Street West, outside of Dunbar, WV. Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the scene. While on their way they learned from dispatchers that the striking driver exited the crashed car and got into a black Ford car traveling toward Cross Lanes.
Deputies spotted a car matching the description. The license plate on the vehicle matched the partial license plate number given by callers to 911. They stopped the car and located the driver of the car that crashed into the house, identifying her as Stella Mangus, 61 years old of Charleston, WV.
The others in the black Ford car credibly indicated they did not realize Ms. Mangus was fleeing from a crime. She flagged them down on the road asking for someone to take her to a doctor and they agreed. They were only briefly detained, then permitted to resume their travel.
The house suffered significant structural damage during the crash. A resident was in her kitchen when the car struck the home. The crashing car forced her refrigerator into her and threw her into a closet door causing bruising, swelling, and lacerations to her head, wrist, chest, and leg.
Ms. Mangus admitted to recent heroin use and showed signs of impairment following the crash. Her driver’s license was already revoked for several driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. She also had active capias warrants for her arrest from two previous DUI charges.
She was arrested on the two outstanding warrants, and also charged with DUI causing injury (second offense), driving under the influence of drugs, and leaving the scene of a crash causing injury.
As is always the case in criminal matters, the charges against Ms. Mangus are merely accusations. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.