BEDFORD — A local woman faces criminal charges following a hit-and-run investigation that began with a high-impact collision at a busy Bedford intersection last Wednesday.
Shanda R. Tipton, 26, of Bedford, was taken into custody on April 16, 2026, after police linked her vehicle to an accident that occurred at the intersection of John Williams Boulevard and O Street.
On the afternoon of April 15, Bedford Police were dispatched to a 911 call reporting a two-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, Officer Bailey Duprey located a black 2021 Buick Envoy resting nearly 10 feet off the roadway.
The female driver of the Envoy informed officers she was traveling westbound when a second vehicle slammed into the rear of her SUV. The force of the impact was so great that the driver of the Envoy lost control, crossing over the concrete median and both eastbound lanes before coming to a stop south of the boulevard. The striking vehicle fled the scene immediately following the collision.
The break in the case came the following day when investigators obtained surveillance footage from Extra Storage. The video captured a tan Buick Century crossing the intersection without its brake lights activating before striking the Envoy. The footage showed the Buick Century accelerating away down O Street without any attempt by the occupants to check on the other driver.
At approximately 5:50 p.m. on April 16, a “Be On the Lookout” (BOL) alert was issued for a tan Buick with heavy front-end damage and fictitious license plates. Shortly after, Lawrence County deputies located and stopped the vehicle.
During an interview with Officer Duprey, Tipton reportedly admitted to being the driver during the crash. According to the probable cause affidavit
Tipton stated she heard sirens and became panicked, attempting to cross the intersection quickly. She claimed the other vehicle “came out of nowhere.”
Tipton admitted she did not have insurance on the vehicle at the time of the accident.
While the victim initially reported no major injuries at the scene, a follow-up by police on April 17 revealed that the driver of the Envoy suffered bruising to her thighs, hand pain, and general body soreness resulting from the impact.
Tipton has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing bodily injury.
Tipton was transported to the Lawrence County Security Center and turned over to the custody of the Sheriff’s Department. The Buick Century involved in the crash was towed and impounded as evidence.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
