Published: June 27, 2008 11:52 pm
UPDATE: Woman killed in hit-and-run crash
By MIKE FLETCHER
Tribune staff writer
Kokomo police are looking for the driver of a pickup truck who struck and killed a 51-year-old woman riding a bicycle then fled the scene.
At 10:30 p.m.., officers responded to the area of 1916 E. Vaile Ave., to the accident scene and found Karen Hamilton, Kokomo, lying in the street, Officer Troy Hintz said.
She had been riding her bicycle west on Vaile avenue when she was struck in the rear by a full-size dark colored pickup truck.
Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene.
A witness told police the truck hit the woman then drove away. The truck was last seen driving west on Vaile Avenue.
The suspect vehicle is believed to have heavy front end damage to the passenger side. The suspect vehicle may also have a rear tail light out unrelated to the accident, Hintz said.
Anyone who may have information about this investigation is encouraged to contact the Kokomo Police at 459-5101, the Kokomo Police Hotline at 456-7017, or you may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS with your anonymous tip.
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Date of Record: July 1, 2008 MEDIA RELEASE Case Number: 2008-32836 Released by: Officer Troy Hintz Date of release: 6/28/2008 Follow-up contact persons: Officer Troy Hintz or Officer Orville Harness 765.459.5101 Public Information Officer: Lt. Don Whitehead 765.456.7248 Crime or Subject Released: Hit and Run Accident Resulting in Death Location: 1900 Block of E. Vaile Avenue Date/Time of Incident: 6/27/2008 @ 10:30 p.m. Summary: On June 27, 2008, at 10:30 p.m., officers of the Kokomo Police Department responded to the area of 1916 East Vaile Avenue regarding a possible hit and run accident. Upon the arrival of the officers, it was discovered that 51- year-old Karen Hamilton of Kokomo had been riding her bicycle west on Vaile Avenue when she was struck in the rear by a passing vehicle. Ms. Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene. A witness described the suspect vehicle as a full-size dark colored pickup truck. The vehicle failed to stop and fled the scene after striking the woman. The suspect vehicle is believed to have heavy front end damage to the passenger side. The suspect vehicle may also have a rear tail light out unrelated to the accident. Anyone who may have information about this investigation is encouraged to contact the Kokomo Police Department at 459-5101, the Kokomo Police Hotline at 456-7017, or you may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS with your anonymous tip. 01-Jul-08:dbm
Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run back Date of Record: July 14, 2008 MEDIA RELEASE Case Number: 2008-32836 Released by: Officer Troy Hintz Date of release: 7/14/2008 Follow-up contact person: Officer Troy Hintz or Officer Orville Harness 459.5101 Public Information Officer: Lt. Don Whitehead 765.456.7248 Crime or Subject Released: Hit and Run Accident Resulting in Death Location: 1900 blk E. Vaile Avenue Date/Time of Incident: 6/27/2008 @ 10:30 p.m. Summary: On today's date, Kokomo Police Officers executed an arrest warrant on Ty Watts, a 46-year-old male of Kokomo. The warrant charged Watts with Reckless Homicide, a Class C felony. On July 2, Officer Orville Harness located a vehicle that matched the suspect vehicle in the fatal hit and run crash on June 27. While a search warrant was being obtained for the vehicle, the owner, identified as Ty Watts, arrived and was questioned about the crash. Mr. Watts subsequently admitted to being the driver of the truck during the crash on the night of June 27. An arrest warrant was requested after the investigation was completed on July 2. After being notified that the warrant had been issued out of the Howard County Circuit Court, Mr. Watts was located and taken into custody. At the time of the arrest, Ty was found to be in possession of marijuana and a smoking device for illegal drugs. The investigation into the crash revealed that alcohol was a factor. If anyone has any further information in the case please contact the Kokomo Police Department at 459-5101, the Kokomo Police Hotline at 456-7017, or you may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. 14-Jul-08:dbm
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*Will Update ASAP*
Karen was born 05 July 1956 at St Joseph Hospital in Kokomo, Indiana.
She was the daughter of Raymond Everett Hamilton and Loma Eureva Rogers.
Her grandparents were William Monroe Hamilton & Irene Belle Irelan and Leonard William Rogers
& Emma Inez Robbins. All of whom preceded her in death. Karen worked for Steak N Shake in Kokomo and previously worked for Cintas Corporation,
Windsor Estates, and Turtle Creek Nursing Home. She was a 1974 graduate of Haworth High School
in Kokomo. She was a Jehovah Witness and attended many meetings. In 2003,
when her mother, Loma, was diagnosed with cancer, she was the main care giver.
After her mother passed, she became the main caregiver for her nephew, Jeremiah Hamilton,
who has many medical problems. She was always there to help when she could. She will be greatly missed by the entire family. Karen is survived by her son William Monroe Hamilton
and Michele DaNiell Hamilton of Fort Wayne and four grandchildren, Joseph, Kyle, Kamyron,
and Nicholas Da Niell. Other survivors include two brothers and a sister-in-law of Kokomo;
Raymond Everett Hamilton Jr and Steven Roger Hamilton & Candice Elaine Campbell Hamilton.
Two sisters and two brothers-in-law of Kokomo; Sheryl Lea Hamilton Jeffries & Wesley Walter Jeffries and Kimberly Sue Hamilton Walker & Victor Lynn Walker. She is also survived by five aunts;
Thelma Rosalyn Weaver Rogers, Phyllis Rayl Hamilton, and Donna Hamilton of Kokomo,
Anita Ray Rogers Harris of Galveston, Indiana, Mabel Vonetta Rogers Wagner, and Charlena Mae (Susie) Rogers Quillen both of Arizona. Karen is also survived by 16 nieces and nephews, many cousins, and her dog, Zoey. Also, preceding her in death was a nephew, Joseph Allen Walker.
Ellers Mortuary will be handling the services and burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens.
Both are in Kokomo. Arrangements are pending at this time.
(This obituary was written by me and may differ slightly when it appears at later time in the Kokomo Tribune.)
Sheryl Hamilton Jeffries
