Hancock Man Charged In Fatal Crash In Frederick County

He’s currently being held without bond.

Gary Allan Godlove (Photo from Frederick County Sheriff’s Office)

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Hancock man in connection with a fatal accident last year. Gary Allan Godlove, 28, is charged with a long list of offenses:

*Failure to return and remain at the scene of an injury accident;

*Failure to remain at the scene of an  accident involving death;

*Failure to render reasonable assistance to the injured person

*Failure to report an accident to police

*Knowingly giving false accident report information

*Negligent Driving

*Failure to control speed to avoid a collision

*Driving without required license and authorization

*Person driving a vehicle on a highway with a suspended out of state license

*Giving a false statement to police

*Obstructing and hindering

Godlove is currently incarcerated at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center on a no-bond status.

Authorities say at around 3:20 AM on August 17th, 2023, deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash along Winchester Boulevard north of Mountville Road. They found a vehicle had crashed into a tree with the front passenger unresponsive. The passenger, identified as Kelby Lester, 28., of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia,  was removed from the vehicle, and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver had left the scene.

Following a lengthy investigation, the Sheriff’s Office says enough evidence was gathered to place charges against Godlove.  He was arrested on Monday, January 8th, 2024.

“Due to the complexity of this incident, the lengthy investigation took a little over four months to complete, but ultimately led to successfully charging  Godlove for his crimes,” says Captain Brian Woodward, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Commander, in a statement. “Deputy {Bryan} Bittenmaster did a great job of handling this crash from the beginning and his due diligence resulted in this successful arrest.”

By Kevin McManus