AMES, Iowa -- On Feb. 10, Iowa State University Police obtained arrest warrants for Shanda Rae Munn, age 20, of 408 E Pitts St., Lawler, Iowa. Munn has been charged with Homicide by Vehicle (Class B Felony) and Failing to Stop at an Accident Resulting in the Death of Another Person (Aggravated Misdemeanor). Munn is a junior, majoring in pre-journalism and mass communication, from Lawler, Iowa.
Munn surrendered to ISU Police at approximately 6:40 a.m. on Feb. 11, and was then transported to the Story County Jail. Bail has been set in the amount of $75,000.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 3, Ames and ISU Police responded to a report of a person lying along Mortensen Road. Upon arrival, officers observed the body of a woman who had apparently been the victim of a hit-and-run collision.
The victim, Kelly Jean Laughery, age 20, of 233 Gray Ave., Ames, was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, where she died as a direct result of injuries sustained from the collision. Laughery was a sophomore, majoring in pre-business, from Orient, Iowa.
Investigation has shown that Laughery was walking eastbound along Mortensen Road when she was struck from behind by a vehicle. There was no evidence that the vehicle had stopped at the scene or that the driver had rendered any aid to the victim. Neither Ames nor ISU Police received a report from the driver indicating that an accident had occurred. Evidence at the scene indicated that damage had been done to the suspect vehicle, especially to the front grill and the right front corner. At the scene, police recovered vehicle debris and components that indicated the suspect vehicle would be a 1991-1993 Buick Century.
ISU Police received information from multiple sources that identified the suspect (Munn) and indicated that the suspect vehicle would be found in a residential garage in Nevada, Iowa. On Dec. 4, officers obtained a search warrant for that location, where they found a 1992 Buick Century in the closed garage. That vehicle had sustained damage consistent with evidence recovered from the accident scene. Officers also observed damage that was consistent with injuries sustained by the victim. Shanda Rae Munn was found to be a registered owner of the suspect vehicle.
Since the incident occurred, ISU Police have executed several search warrants and interviewed over 80 persons who had information related to the accident or the persons involved. Evidence and witness statements have shown that Munn attended a party prior to the accident, had been consuming alcohol at that party, and was under the influence of alcohol at the time that she struck and killed Laughery.