Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Hit and Run Crash Suspect Located

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
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Idaho State Police
Region 5 5205 South 5th Ave.
Pocatello, Idaho 83204-2299
(208) 236-6466 FAX: (208) 236-6068

For Immediate Release: 10/12/2010 at 9:15 p.m.
Contact: Trooper Orr

** Update to Press Release **

On October 12th, 2010, the cumulative information provided to the Idaho State Police by the public resulted in the arrest of Kelsey Schlenker in regards to the crash that occurred on October 9th, 2010. Schlenker was arrested for the Felony charge of Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident and the Misdemeanor charge of Reckless Driving. The involved vehicle and Schlenker were both located in Idaho Falls where she was taken into custody and later transported to the Bannock County Jail where she was incarcerated.

The Idaho State Police thanks the public for any and all assistance provided.

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**Original Press Releases**

For Immediate Release: 10/12/2010 11:15 a.m.
Contact: Tpr. T. Orr or Lt. Gonzalez

------Update------

The Idaho State Police is still attempting to locate a suspect vehicle, involved in an injury crash on October 9, 2010. The crash occurred northbound on I-15 at milepost 73, just north of Pocatello. The vehicle that fled the crash scene is described as an older style SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Bronco with a two-tone paint scheme. The vehicle is further described as being dark blue, and having a large light blue or gray stripe on the side with dark blue paint below the stripe. It will also have damage to the driver's side and on the front of the vehicle. There may be red paint transfer in the damaged areas.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the identity of this vehicle and driver. This information can and will be kept confidential or you can remain anonymous. If you have any information about this crash and the vehicle involved you could be entitled to the reward. Please contact Trooper Orr or Lieutenant Gonzales at the Idaho State Police at 208-236-6466.

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On October 9, 2010, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Idaho State Police investigated a four-vehicle accident on Interstate 15 at milepost 73. Shawna Knox, 47, of Ucon, was travelling northbound when another vehicle made an abrupt lane change and struck her red Ford Taurus. That vehicle then continued northbound. The Taurus was forced off the road into the median where it rolled and landed in the southbound lanes.

A silver Honda Accord driven by Flint Gardner, 19, of Blackfoot, and a maroon Dodge pickup driven by Carl Vantassell, 57, of Rupert, collided while attempting to avoid the Taurus.

Everyone involved in the crash were wearing a seatbelt. Shawna Knox, and her passenger William Knox, 51, also of Ucon, were both transported to Portneuf Medical Center with nonlife-threatening injuries. Shawna was later moved to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

The Idaho State Police is requesting any information on the suspect vehicle that fled the scene.

The suspect vehicle was described as an older style SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Bronco with a two-tone paint scheme. The vehicle was further described as being dark blue, and having a large light blue or gray stripe on the side with dark blue paint below the stripe. It will also have damage to the driver's side and on the front of the vehicle. There may be red paint transfer in the damaged areas.

The crash was investigated by Trooper Orr with assistance from Bannock County and Pocatello emergency crews.

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