MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. — On Saturday, September 28, 2024 at approximately 7:35 p.m. the Muscle Shoals Police Department was dispatched to a call in reference to a vehicle striking a pedestrian on George Wallace Blvd between Patriots Dr and 6th St. Officers were advised the vehicle in question had left the scene.
MSPD Officers arrived on scene and located a female lying on the edge of the roadway with severe trauma to her body. Jamya B Shanes, 25 of Nashville, TN, was pronounced deceased on scene by the Colbert County Coroner’s Office.
Witnesses to the event told police they were walking with Shanes when a dark-colored truck struck Shanes and fled the scene. Muscle Shoals Police Officers, with the assistance of the Tuscumbia Police Department, began canvasing the area for a truck matching the description given by witnesses. During the investigation, Officers were able to obtain a better description and a license plate number for a possible vehicle involved. Shortly thereafter, Officers with both agencies arrived at an address in Tuscumbia that was learned during the investigation. At this address, Officers and Detectives located an Explorer Sport Trac with heavy damage to the front passenger side and hood. Detectives also located what appeared to be human hair on the vehicle.
Officers made contact with the registered owner of the vehicle and were able to determine the individual who had been driving the vehicle. At that time, Ronald Alfred Fontaine, 74 of Tuscumbia, AL, was taken into custody and transported without incident to the Muscle Shoals Police Department. Fontaine is currently being held pending a Warrant of Arrest for charges related to Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death. Under Alabama Law, leaving the scene of an accident that has resulted in death is classified as a Class C Felony. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Shanes’ friends and family during this difficult time.
