Police arrest hit-and-run driver from Dec. 30 accident

[March 09, 2009]  Lincoln police officers arrested Kelly A. Ferreira at her residence Saturday pursuant to an arrest warrant issued in Logan County. This arrest culminates a 2 1/2-month investigation into the Dec. 30, 2008, hit-and-run accident near the Eagles Lodge in Lincoln.

Ferreira and the victim, Rhonda "Tobi" Shaw, are friends and were together that night at various bars, including Legends, 1909 N. Kickapoo St. Shaw left Legends, walking southbound on North Kickapoo. Ferreira left Legends a short time later, driving southbound.

It is believed that Ferreira passed Shaw, realized that it was Shaw walking and backed up to give her a ride. While backing up, Ferreira's van struck Shaw, knocking her to the ground. Ferreira then left the scene and did not report the accident to police.

Shaw received life-threatening injuries and was transferred to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Shaw was wearing a black leather jacket, which was submitted to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab in an effort to determine if trace evidence would reveal the color of the vehicle. The lab was able to find trace paint transfer, and their analysis determined that the vehicle was brown or tan in color.

Also, at the scene of the accident, Lincoln police recovered several pieces of taillight that had distinctive lettering.

Tips received from the public and the information regarding the color of the vehicle pointed the investigation toward Ferreira. Lincoln police determined that Ferreira drives a tan 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette van and that the van's rear right taillight was recently replaced. With this information, Lincoln officers seized the van and processed it for evidence.

An Illinois State Police accident reconstruction trooper and the Logan County Sheriff's Department assisted in the investigation that led to Ferreira's arrest.

Arrested:

• Kelly A. Ferreira, 46-year-old female, 119 N. Grand, Lincoln

Charges:

• Aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol -- Class 4 felony

• Leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury -- Class 3 felony

[Text from file received from the Lincoln Police Department]