Johnston police looking for man accused of killing motorcycle passenger in crash

The Johnston Police Department is looking for a Colfax man who is accused of killing his motorcycle passenger in a crash over the weekend.

Police say that 44-year-old Todd Phillips crashed his motorcycle while intoxicated around midnight Saturday at the intersection of Merle Hay Road and Northwest Beaver Drive. The passenger was Michelle Shawhan, 46, of Des Moines, who was seriously injured and later died due to her injuries.

After the crash, police say Phillips fled the scene. A K9 officer found him "hiding nearby," according to a police department news release.

Police arrested and charged him with operating while intoxicated, driving while barred and serious injury by vehicle.

He bonded out of jail before Shawhan died and the charges were upgraded to vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Police now are searching for Phillips on a parole violation warrant stemming from charges related to the crash.

Police ask that anyone with information on Phillips' whereabouts to contact Polk County Sheriff's Office at 515-286-3333 or call 911.

Ryan Magalhães is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Johnston police looking for man accused of killing passenger in crash