Video of deadly Columbia hit-and-run crash leads to suspects’ arrests
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A hit-and-run crash late Friday in Columbia was captured on video, leading to the arrest of two suspects, a probable cause statement filed Monday states.
The video captured the moments a vehicle allegedly driven by Shunta Bohanon hit 47-year-old Mark Hunter Jr. at East St. Charles Road and Remm Drive. Hunter was pronounced dead at the hospital. Bohanon was charged with involuntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death and evidence tampering in a felony prosecution
Police officers identified Bohanon's vehicle and its license plate from video footage, the probable cause statement says. Bohanon allegedly admitted to police that he was driving the car that killed Hunter, but said he didn't see the man and didn't realize initially that he had hit a person, the document states.
The impact sent Hunter down the road, leaving a trail of blood, police say.
Bohanon parked his car inside a garage after the crash and closed the door, according to the statement.
Another suspect, Sandra Sharp, 55, hasn't been charged. Because she posted bond, charges don't have to be filed until her bond hearing date on Sept. 10, Boone County Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Buchanan told ABC 17 News via email.
Sharp was arrested on suspicion of evidence tampering, resisting arrest and assault of a special victim, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Bohanon, 53, was being held Monday without bond in the Boone County Jail.
Police say they arrested both Sharp and Bohanon on Saturday, and that Flock cameras were used to locate the suspects.
A candlelight vigil will be held for Hunter on Friday at Hogan House, located at 313 Hogan Dr. in Columbia. The vigil starts at 7:30 p.m.
Hogan House is a food pantry and a non-profit that falls under the organization Do Something Right Now. The goal is for Hogan House to help out its neighbors in surrounding areas, like families on Hogan Drive or Demaret Drive.
Do Something Right Now Executive Director Sue Riley said Hunter was a part of one of those families on Demaret Drive, and he volunteered with Hogan House for the last three years.
"Mark was very quiet. He had a special little grin, and I always called him a gentle giant because he would work hard, but he wouldn't say a whole lot. He'd just look at you and smile," Riley said.
She said Hunter worked with Love Columbia for job coaching, and he recently got one.
"He was proud of himself, and he had every right to be," Riley said. "We had seen a lot less of him in the recent months because he had started working a job, but when he came around, I would tell him, 'Mark, I am so proud of you. You're doing so great."
