Cops: 24-year-old dies in race on I-495

THE NEWS JOURNAL • JUNE 28, 2009
A 24-year-old Wilmington woman died early today when the driver of the vehicle she was riding in tried to race another motorist, state police said.
Kimberly Simone died in the accident about 2:43 a.m. on southbound I-495 just south of Edgemoor Road near Claymont, said police Lt. Melissa Zebley.
It happened when an unknown type of vehicle in the left lane speeded past a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer driven in the center lane by LaRon Sheppard, 33, of Wilmington, Zebley said.
Sheppard speeded up to try to catch the other vehicle, ,which drifted slightly into the middle lane, she said.
Sheppard applied his brakes on a curve, causing the Trailblazer to veer off the road, hit several trees and roll over.
Simone, one of four passengers, was thrown from the left rear seat and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheppard and the other three passengers were treated at Christiana Medical Center for minor injuries, Zebley said.
No one in the Trailblazer was wearing a seat belt.
Anyone with information may call police at 834-2620 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333.

This sweet girl, worked in our body shop, she was a great employee
God bless her, I loved her very much, God bless her family,
our prayers are with them.

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www.photographybynaomi.net
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A 33 year old man acting like a teenager trying to impress his young female passengers no doubt.

Guys like that just make me sick, especially hearing about stuff like this.

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The only way to bring about change is to actively strive to achieve it. - (7-24-09, Witchofthedogs)

hope they charge him with her death

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Maryland Whitetail
www.chesapeakebaybratwurst.com/

Poor girl,what an idiotic thing to do, people get passed everyday, is it saying she was in the back seat,if so im going to make people wear thier seatbelts in the back of my SUV now...But i agree his nonsence caused her death, charge him he is old enough to know better.

Here today gone tomorrow. You never know when it's your time to punch out.

Ashame, this girl died because of another idiot did not want to lose a race.

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Exactly.

Sorry for the loss, Naomi. It is very sad. All for stupid pride.

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Don't spread my wealth - spread my work ethic!!!!!

I'm so sorry, Na. My condolences to the family.

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Sorry Na, i missed where you said You knew her, Im sorry for the loss of your friend

I'm sorry Na. I can see where this would be very difficult for you. I'm not a praying type of person, but you are in my thoughts.

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<3 I love a warm pig belly for my aching feet <3

Thats sad.......anything could happened inside the car. the women could have instigated the race. As the others said though. He was old enough to know better.

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Here ya go, Naomi. So so sad!! and way too young.

KIMBERLY SIMIONE


Kimberly Denise
Simione
Age 24, whose sunrise was on Wednesday, October 10, 1984, left this life to be with God in heaven, Sunday, June 28, 2009.
Kim was a 2003 graduate of Cab Calloway School for the Arts. She previously worked at VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital and was currently employed at Carman Auto Group. She was a lifelong member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. She was devoted to her family and friends, enjoyed dancing, her car and music. She loved animals, especially her dog, Bella. Kim could light up a room with her smile and presence.
Kim was the wonderful daughter of Linda and Steve Simione; sister of Kristi Simione and Kristi's fiancé John C. White; granddaughter of Bill and Bea Willis, all of Wilmington; niece of Dr. David and Marg Willis of Portland, OR and the cousin of Adam Willis and Andrew Willis. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Americo and Edith "Honey" Simione.
A Celebration of Life will be 7 pm, Thursday, July 2, at St. Mark's UMC, 1700 Limestone Rd., Stanton, where visitation will begin at 4:30 pm. Burial will be at a later date.
The family suggests contributions in Kim's memory to Family Promise of Northern New Castle County, c/o of St. Mark's UMC, 1700 Limestone, Rd., Wilmington, DE 19804.
To send online
condolences visit Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home

That's terrible. One life is gone and the other three will never be the same; the other passengers will surely feel survivors' guilt.

Not EVER wanting it to happen, I have often wondered why it hasn't happened more along that stretch of highway. It only takes a minute of anger/competition to cause a tragedy like this.

It's hard on you since you knew her, Na. I'm so sorry for the life she never got to experience. She's in my thoughts...

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ah you kno what's funny none of u knew either of them, maybe naomi but hey she was a co-worker...yes Kim was one of the greatest persons ever put on earth, no matter where she was or who she was with she was all about smiles and being cheer, LaRon was her brother from her extended family, who he brought under his roof because he loved her. We all did, she was like a big sister to me as LaRon is like a big brother to me. We were one big family including the rest of the passengers. First of all, no one was thrown from the vehicles!!!!! How do I know, ohhh because I've been sitting in the hospital beside the others. They know what happened and who was where. The a$$holes of DWAREonline, always make things seem overdone. The shoes in the video belonged to one of the passengers who crawled out and took them off in the street. Kim was still inside the suv because they had to cut everyone free. And as for y'all being judgmental towards Laron can all go suck an egg, yes it's pure stupidity to race...but it could have happened to anyone, it could have happened to any of you on this post...maybe because of lack of sleep, drinking, smoking, not paying attention, a bunny in the road, either way it's your fault, and people out there will say the same thing if you were responsible for ur friends death, "oh i hope he/she gets charged, i hope their family hates them and presses charges"etc but this negativity of wishing sh!t on ppl is just horrible thats why americans have no values. What about his kids??? Between what we like to see and what the media gives us, makes u feel better about yourselves get a damn life. If any of you knew how he felt then it'll be a different story. To know that someone you called your lil sister is gone b/c of you actions, and your fiance and friends were harmed b/c of your actions. To live with it for the rest of your life, to touch her bedroom door everyday, wake up and say good morning is not available. She is gone but will not be forgotten. So as for the celebration of her life, we will all be there...but if any of you local a$$holes show up with your negativity there will be some problems. If her sister can sit down and understand everything that happened and willing to forgive him...why can't some strangers??? My point made, y'all don't know anything. Thank you Naomi for setting up this post...but if you really knew both of them then...you really wouldn't have said what you said or even set up this post. But the Kim I knew and chilled with became so close with my twin of smiles and laughter, was no where close to proposing negativity, Kim possible she made the good happen, and I believe she'd personally call you an a$$hole for this thread!!! Grow the hell up resume your duties elsewhere, but thank you for proving my point correct as I explained to the family and friends of what people will do that assume and think negative!

A post filled with so much anger and rage. Understandable seeing how you were close to those that are involved.

Calling members here assholes will not be tolerated.

But you are more than welcome to express your outrage to what you think is an injustice to the memory of Kim Simione and LaRon.

For the most part, the posters are only reacting to what was posted or reported in the news.

Things happen, mistakes are made, people die. It is a sad reality.

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TalkPa.net - Pennsylvania's Forum

Hi Welcome to the site, enjoy you short stay...

And PS.it would not happen to me because i am not dumb enough to try and race someone because they passed me.Let what happened set in a while with her family thier view of what happened may change as time goes on.

Oh and P.s s I and the others on this forum are not assholes, they are my family,clearly you are mistaken..have a lovely day

Green Lantern, I think s/he's actually cussing the lunatics over on TNJ. I haven't read any of the comments there, but I'm sure (as on every news story) that bile is being spewed all over.

Getit, this site is not the same as Delawareonline; it was set up as an alternative to that site, and things are done differently around here. I'm sure most everyone here would agree with you that the comments on TNJ are vile and indefensible -- notice they do this on ALL the news stories; you should have seen the things they said about that poor woman who jumped off the bridge recently. I've even seen them post hateful comments on stories about charities that help the homeless, or any other group that the posters there decide doesn't "deserve" any help. My advice to you is to just stop reading those awful comments; that place is nothing but the equivalent of a junior high playground, complete with bullies and cliques.