Driver charged for leaving the scene of toddler's death

A 63 year-old woman was in court today after the Leelanau County prosecutor authorized charges in the 2012 death of Gavin Punter.  Gertrude A. Shorter of Maple City appeared for her initial court appearance after being contacted by the prosecutor and told of the charging decision.  She was released on a personal recognizance bond after being booked in at the Leelanau County jail.

Shorter is charged with Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Impairment or Death, a five year felony.  She is accused of driving a vehicle which struck and killed the 5 year-old at 8:39 am on July 22, 2012.  He was riding a tricycle alongside his grandmother on the shoulder of  S. Lakeshore Drive in Centerville Township.  Accident investigation and witness interviews showed that the boy and his grandmother were walking legally against traffic along the northbound shoulder when the crash occurred.    

Woman arrested on bench warrant

23 year-old Beatrice L. Shananaquet of Traverse City was arrested Thursday on a bench warrant for failing to appear for arraignment.  She was originally given a court date after being charged with Driving without Security (Insurance) in February 2012.  She drove her vehicle into the ditch on S. West Bay Shore Drive in Bingham Township at 8:09 on February 27.  Shananquet did not appear at her original court date so the bench warrant was issued.

She was released on a $100 personal recognizance bond after being booked in the Leelanau County jail.

Suspended driver nabbed in Elmwood Township

A 54 year-old Elmwood Township man was cited for Driving with a Suspended License Thursday.  He was stopped by a Leelanau County deputy on Cherry Bend Road for having a registration plate that had been expired for 14 months.  A license check revealed that the man's driving privileges had been suspended by the Secretary of State.  He was released after being giving a court appearance date and having his car towed from the scene.