Updated Feb. 11 at 4:50 p.m.: Suspect Cierra Shannon turned herself in at the Bradenton Police Department at 4:45 p.m. today. She has been charged with leaving the scene of a traffic crash that resulted in a death. Investigators have impounded a 2006 silver Chevrolet Trailblazer and are processing it for evidence.
The victim has been identified as 83-year-old Madelyn Dakin from Michigan. Dakin was vacationing in Holmes Beach with her husband of 67 years, Gerald.
Updated Feb. 11 at 4 p.m.: Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the suspect’s vehicle was found in the FISH Preserve area of Cortez Village and has been impounded by police.
HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach police officers are looking for information that could help lead to an arrest in a fatal hit and run accident that took place on Gulf Drive.
Chief Bill Tokajer said the incident occurred just after 7 p.m. in the 2700 block of Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, near the city’s southern border with Bradenton Beach. A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.
Holmes Beach police are being assisted by the Bradenton Police Department’s traffic unit on the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Currently, Tokajer said investigators are searching for a 2006 silver Chevrolet Trailblazer with Florida license plate IV5-9UG and front end damage. Officers also are searching for Cierra E. Shannon, a white female with a birthdate of Sept. 22, 1993, and a person of interest in the investigation.
In addition to searching for Shannon, Tokajer added that police also are seeking information from anyone who saw her or was with her prior to the Feb. 10 crash or who has information on her activities prior to the incident to see if her actions earlier in the day were a determining factor to why she left the scene of the crash.
According to Manatee County court records, Shannon was found guilty of driving under the influence in 2015 and was ordered to serve a year of probation, complete DUI school and pay a fine in lieu of community service hours.
Anyone with information on Shannon or the crash is asked to please contact Holmes Beach Det. Brian Hall at 941-932-6161 or email detective@holmesbeach.org. Tips and information also can be sent to BPDtips@bradentonpd.com. To remain anonymous or be eligible to receive a cash reward of $3,000 for information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-8477 or send an anonymous tip electronically online to the Crime Stoppers website.
–Sun reporter Joe Hendricks contributed to this story
