A Clarksburg woman that witnesses report was driving at speeds possibly up to 100 miles per hour down Lodgeville Road before wrecking her car with a child inside is facing a multitude of charges, according to Bridgeport Police Officer PFC L.D. Janssen.

 

It was on April 17 that 34-year-old Jessica Gordon was heading down Lodgeville Road at a super high rate of speed according to witnesses that spoke to Bridgeport Police as well as Connect-Bridgeport. Eventually, the car wrecked just past the entrance to Jenkins Subaru off the shoulder of the opposite lane.

The force of the wreck caused airbag deployment. Several passersby removed a 3-year-old child that was in the back seat and that was taken to United Hospital Center for precautionary treatment, according to Bridgeport Fire Department personnel. They added the child had no injuries that were life threatening.

 

Witnesses also held Gordon in place before police arrived on the scene. Gordon, according to the charges, was already in trouble with the law before police arrived. Problems became compounded after they arrived.

 

“At this time, she’s only been charged with felony child neglect, which is a charge that I’ll be presenting myself,” said Janssen.

 

However, there are a multitude of other charges that will be presented to an upcoming edition of the Harrison County Grand Jury. She is facing four counts of battery on an officer, obstruction and possibly DUI. Janssen said all of those, even the DUI, are considered misdemeanors and go to the grand jury.

 

Whether or not the DUI charge goes into play is unknown. Janssen said they are waiting on results to be returned to determine if that charge will be presented to the grand jury.

 

“The subject was combative and non-cooperative,” said Janssen as to the reasons police were unable to do a field sobriety test.

 

Janssen and other officers were in full alarm mode when arriving on the scene. Along with Gordon to deal with, the subject – as well as one of the men who was assisting before police arrived – said Gordon said there were two children in the vehicle.

 

“Once I realized the 3-year-old was already out of the car and discovered the other child she was talking about had been previously transported to UHC, we knew there were no other children involved and they were safe,” said Janssen.

 

The second child was not in the car at the time of the accident. Janssen said police learned the other child the suspect talked about had already been at UHC earlier for treatment of a general illness.

 

“We have statements the driver was going between 80 and 100 miles per hour down Lodgeville,” said Janssen.

 

The call on April 17 came in at 4:05 p.m. The accident caused temporary traffic delays in both lanes of the roadway.

 

Editor's Note: Emergency personnel work to handle the scene on April 17 in the top photo, while Jessica Gordon is shown in the middle photo. At the bottom, the Ford Taurus is shown where it came to rest on Lodgeville Road.