Tips still needed in 2017 hit-and-run death

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help generating leads in a 2017 hit and run crash that took the life of a 29-year-old Lehigh Acres woman.

Sometime between the late night hours of Oct. 21, 2017 and the early morning of Oct. 22, 2017, an unknown driver travelling on 40^th Street in Lehigh struck and killed Akeera “Kee Kee” Shanks.Her body was left on the side of the road for at least a half day before eventually being found by a bicyclist.

Although some leads were generated shortly after the crash, investigators are now in a holding pattern and are hopeful that someone who knows something about the driver will finally clear their conscience and come forward.

“Kee Kee was the light of her family, and it’s been a painful nearly two years trying to wrap their heads around the fact that the person who took her life never even stopped and tried to render help,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator.

“There is a strong likelihood that the driver lives or lived in the Lehigh area, so we hope that someone knows something or heard something about the person responsible for Kee Kee’s death.  The driver took a life and doesn’t deserve the protection of friends or family – this person needs to be held accountable.”

In an effort to keep her memory alive, Kee Kee’s family is working on placing a pink park bench at the corner of 40^thStreet and Rena Avenue for students waiting for their school bus in the morning.  It’s one way, they hope, to keep others walking on that road safe from irresponsible drivers.

Anyone with information on the identity of the driver who took Akeera Shanks’ life is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).  All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.  Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.