Dawann Simmons Arrested: Driver Charged in Fatal Crash with Volunteer Firefighter, Shawn Giles Held for DUI Accident

Dawann Simmons Arrested: Driver Charged in Fatal Crash with Volunteer Firefighter, Shawn Giles Held for DUI Accident

Dawann Simmons, the driver charged with fatally crashing into a volunteer firefighter who was directing traffic during a separate accident, will now face trial.

During a preliminary hearing, Judge Edward Nelson ordered 41-year-old Dawann Simmons to stand trial on multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle while DUI.

Simmons is charged in connection with the death of Fuller Hose Company fireman Shawn Giles.

Back in August, Giles was directing traffic following an accident on Route 20 in the North East.

Prosecutors claim that Simmons’ car struck Giles and killed him.

Based on toxicology tests, prosecutors say Simmons blood-alcohol content was between 0.093% and 0.114%, which is above the legal limit of 0.08%.

Meanwhile, volunteer firefighters and EMS workers from several departments attended the preliminary hearing in support of the Giles family.

“You cannot replace someone like Shawn Giles,” said Fuller Hose Company President Chris Skrekla. “He was a gentle giant. He did a lot of things. He was an unsung hero within the department. He did a lot of things without needing recognition for them. He was just out there on that Sunday, serving his community.”

Simmons is being held in the Erie County Prison on a $200,000 bond.