Des Moines Register
02/12/06
Arrest made in hit-and-run death
Alcohol may be factor in crash that killed ISU student
By LISA LIVERMORE
REGISTER AMES BUREAU
Iowa State University Police have arrested a person they say is responsible for
the hit-and-run crash that caused the death of ISU student Kelly Jean Laughery
in December.
Shanda Rae Munn, 20, of Lawler was taken to Story County Jail on Saturday on
charges of homicide by vehicle, a class B felony, and failing to stop at an
accident resulting in the death of another person, which is an aggravated
misdemeanor. Police said they believe Munn attended a party before 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.
Police said they believe she was the only one in the car at the time of the
accident.
If convicted, she faces 25 years in prison for the felony charge, and two years for
the aggravated misdemeanor.
Laughery, 20, a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, was found lying on Mortensen
Road at 4:27 a.m. Dec. 3. She was taken to Mary Greeley Medical Center in
Ames, where she was pronounced dead. Police determined she was struck from
behind while walking east along the street.
"This whole thing has been a horribly unfortunate and tragic situation," said ISU
Police Capt. Gene Deisinger. "It involved the death of a young woman, and
most likely the life of another one is irrevocably changed."
Attorney Russell Schroeder of Charles City, who is Munn's attorney, said through
an assistant that he had no comment on the arrest and doesn't believe it's
appropriate to comment on pending cases in most instances.
ISU Police said there was no evidence that the vehicle had stopped at the scene
or that the driver had rendered any aid to the victim.
Deisinger said police are continuing to look into the source of the alcohol at the
party that Munn, who is under the legal drinking age, attended before the
accident. He declined to say whether other charges are expected.
Last semester, Munn was registered as a junior majoring in pre-journalism and
mass communication.
ISU spokeswoman Annette Hacker said she was unsure if Munn was a student
this semester, but she has not been on campus this semester.
After surrendering to ISU Police at 6:40 a.m. Saturday, Munn was then taken to
the Story County Jail, police said.
Bail was set at $75,000. She posted bail and was released Saturday, jail
personnel said.
Register correspondent Eric Lund contributed to this article.