INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 33-year-old woman was jailed after deputies said she struck and killed two pedestrians before driving away in a 2012 Mercedes-Benz from the scene late Wednesday.
Shaquana West PHOTO PROVIDED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Shaquana Isabel West, of the 4800 block of 38th Circle, was charged with two counts of failure to stop or remain at crash involving death and battery on an officer. West was held Thursday at the Indian River County Jail on a $125,000 bond.
West’s booking information reported she lived in the Gifford area, but Florida Highway Patrol troopers said she lived in Orlando.
Sheriff’s deputies and highway troopers responded to reports of an eastbound vehicle hitting two people about 8 p.m. at 45th Street near Bridgepointe Avenue. A 39-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene; a 72-year-old woman was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and died shortly after, troopers said.
Both women lived in Vero Beach, according to troopers.
Witnesses told deputies the driver of a sedan with heavy front end damage left the area, said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. An off-duty detective spotted the vehicle – a silver Mercedes – at 4th Street and U.S. 1 and notified deputies. Jaworski said the car had its hazard lights on and was swerving.
“After stopping the vehicle, deputies observed a shattered windshield and damage consistent with striking a person,” Jaworski said. “The sole occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody.”
Deputies took West to HCA Florida Vero Beach Emergency for a blood sample. West kicked one of the deputies in the right hip while at the emergency room, troopers said. The results of West’s blood sample were not immediately available.
Deputies arrested West overnight and booked her into the county jail. West has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. July 25, court records show.
Further details on the victims were not immediately available. Troopers continue to investigate the deadly hit-and-run crash.
