JACKSON — A Jackson man charged in what police say was an intentional crash that killed a woman and injured another cyclist was granted bond Monday during an initial appearance in municipal court.
Shannon Thomas, 57, received a $500,000 bond on a murder charge and a $10,000 bond for leaving the scene of an accident, according to the Jackson Police Department. He also faces an attempted murder charge in connection with the incident.
Police said the charges stem from a March 4 crash in the 4800 block of Chastain Drive involving two people riding a single bicycle.
Authorities said 21-year-old Kaitlyn Mangum-Gast and a 36-year-old man were traveling on the bicycle around 11:14 a.m. when a white pickup truck driven by Thomas struck them.
Mangum-Gast died from her injuries, and the case is now being investigated as Jackson’s 13th homicide of the year, police said.
Detectives initially responded to the incident as a crash but later determined during their investigation that the collision was intentional, according to police.
Thomas was arrested Friday, March 6, and booked into the Jackson Police Department holding facility. Investigators also towed his vehicle, which police say will be processed as evidence.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).
