Jury indicts woman tied to hit-and-run

A Juneau grand jury indicted a 49-year-old woman Friday who police say provided a false name during a hit-and-run investigation.

Sherry Lynn Petranovich told a Juneau Police Department officer her name was Shelyn Rivera to avoid facing two warrants for violating conditions of her release, according to a police complaint.

JPD arrested her April 1 after she revealed her identity and told officers she was trying to avoid her warrants until after the weekend.

Petranovich faces one felony for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident at approximately 10 a.m. April 1 near Trout Street without giving her information or offering help. She faces a second assault felony for reckless injury to a person with a dangerous instrument.

Petranovich’s vehicle hit another car driven by a 54-year-old man, JPD spokeswoman Erann Kalwara said. The man reported pain in one of his ankles and legs.

The assault felony is punishable by up to five years in prison or a $50,000 fine. Leaving the scene of an accident is an unclassified felony punishable up to 99 years in prison or by a $500,000 fine.

Online court records show Petranovich is also facing misdemeanor charges for larceny and criminal trespassing in Juneau. She has also previously pleaded guilty to shoplifting and felony theft charges in Anchorage.

Petranovich’s next court appearance was not set by press time.

• Contact reporter Paula Ann Solis at 523-2272 or paula.solis@juneauempire.com.

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