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Driver surrenders in fatal crash; 7 others are sought

Tuesday, July 28, 2009
(Updated Wednesday, July 29 - 7:58 am)

GREENSBORO — One of the eight suspects sought by police in connection with a fatal hit-and-run turned herself in Tuesday.

Shaquetta Deneise Johnson of 1101 Amity Drive surrendered to authorities at the Greensboro Magistrate’s Office.

Johnson was charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit and run and driving while license revoked.

She was released after posting a $15,000 bond.

The crash, involving two vehicles on U.S. 29, left Cherita Jones, 23, dead.

Police say Johnson was driving the car in which Jones was a passenger. Police believe she was picked up in a third vehicle that came upon the accident soon after it happened.

Police are seeking seven other people who fled the scene.

Shelton Phelps of Greensboro was in that third vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, police say. But he was left behind when the SUV drove away and was arrested Monday.

Phelps’ bond more than doubled Tuesday in his first court appearance.

Phelps, 29, of 3106 Timmons Ave., is charged with felony aid and abet. Guilford County District Court Judge Susan Bray raised his bond from $10,000 to $25,000 on that charge.

Jones’ family members attended the court hearing and said she was friends with Johnson.

The family is still trying to make sense of how the crash occurred.

“We’re not trying to blame anyone; we just want answers,” said Jones’ husband, Joey, 25. He has heard rumors that the cars were racing.

The couple has a 2-year-old son, Jamari. Joey Jones is a staff sergeant in the Army stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

Cherita Jones was planning to go back to school for nursing, said her brother, Curtis Ifill, 20.

“I just want to know why they left my sister,” he said.

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com

Contact Dioni L. Wise at 373-7090 or dioni.wise@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Shaquetta Johnson (left), Shelton Phelps

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