Johnston police searching for Colfax man accused of leaving scene of fatal crash, OWI

JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Johnston Police Department is now searching for a Colfax man accused of fleeing the scene of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash that resulted in the death of his passenger.

At around 12:10 a.m. Saturday the Johnston Police Department responded to a report of a motorcycle crash with serious injuries at the intersection of Merle Hay Road and NW Beaver Drive. When first responders arrived on scene they found 46-year-old Michelle Shawhan suffering from critical injuries. Shawhan was transported to a nearby hospital. On Monday the police department announced that Shawhan has died from her injuries.

The motorcycle driver was not at the scene and appeared to have fled the area on foot, the Johnston Police Department said. A search was conducted with the assistance of a police K9 and the driver, identified as 44-year-old Todd Phillips, was found hiding nearby.

On Saturday Phillips was booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of OWI – second offense, driving while barred, and serious injury by vehicle. Phillips was able to bond out of jail before Shawhan’s passing.

On Monday the police department amended the charge of serious injury by vehicle to vehicular homicide following Shawhan’s death. An additional charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death has also been filed.

Officers are continuing to search for Phillips on warrants stemming from the crash. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.