A Logan County woman is facing 10 years to life in prison if found guilty of a second degree murder charge that was filed just last week by the Logan County District Attorney’s Office.
Sherri Denise Shimanek, 45, of Marshall is accused of driving under the influence and causing a two-vehicle accident on Dec. 29, 2012. The accident occurred in the area of County Road 60 and Council Rd. and resulted in the death of Mark Navatril of Marshall, who was the front seat passenger, along with back seat passenger Matthew Fuller.
It is believed that Shimanek and Navatril were in a relationship at the time.
According to an affidavit, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations confirmed Shimanek’s blood alcohol level was .08 and tested positive for phenethylamine, a common methamphetamine derivative. That test was received by the DA’s on Jan. 23, 2013.
A OHP trooper says Shimanek, the driver of the 2008 Chevy HHR, did not yield to a silver Ford 250, that was occupied by two teenagers, when entering the intersection. The 17-year-old driver of the Ford was unable to stop in time and struck the HHR causing it to roll onto the driver’s side.
Fuller says no one in the HHR was wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.
According to a statement from Fuller, Shimanek was the driver of the 2008 Chevy HHR and that he and Navatril were the passengers. Fuller went on to say they had traveled to Enid to purchase alcohol. On the way back home he along with Navatril consumed the alcohol and is why they traveled the back, gravel road instead of the main highways.
Fuller did not believe Shimanek was drinking because of her previous DUI arrest.
In Jan. 2011, Shimanek was convicted of driving under the influence and was punished by 10 years in Kingfisher County.
With the prior conviction, Shimanek was in the commission of a felony and meets the elements for murder in the second degree. The law states: when perpetrated by an act imminently dangerous to another person and evincing a depraved mind, regardless of human life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual.
While at the hospital, Shimanek, who was airlifted, told a trooper she had drunk a couple of beers around 2 p.m. that day, but nothing up to the accident which was dispatched to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol at 7:23 p.m.
A judge has set bond at $250,000 and as of Tuesday afternoon Shimanek remained in the Logan County jail.
Glad to see low life’s off the street.