Alleged Heroin Dealer Also Charged in Fatal Hampton Crash

A Hampton woman has been charged with giving unlicensed teen driver Darriean Hess a controlled drug before allowing Hess to use the car that Hess operated while causing a crash that killed two cyclists.

Cindy Sheppard, 48, of 51 Ocean Blvd., was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for one felony count of sale of a controlled or narcotic drug, according to Hampton Deputy Police Chief Rich Sawyer. Sawyer said Sheppard was also charged with allowing an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, a violation-level offense.

Hess was held on $50,000 cash or corporate surety bail Tuesday following her arraignment on four felony charges alleging she negligently caused the deaths of two cyclists on the Neil R. Underwood Bridge at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
It was unknown Tuesday evening when Hess used or ingested the drugs allegedly supplied to her by Sheppard, although Hess has reportedly said the crash happened after she took her "eyes off the road for a few seconds" while traveling at a high rate of speed over the bridge.

Sawyer said Sheppard supplied Hess with drugs "some time after 1:30 a.m." on Saturday, and then "shortly after 8 a.m." — less than half an hour before the crash — allowed Hess to operate a 2002 Honda Civic "knowing she was not licensed to drive."
The type of drug given to Hess wasn't disclosed Tuesday. Police couldn't be reached for additional comment Tuesday evening. 

Sheppard was arrested in June on drug dealing charges, and police have said she is a significant source of heroin in the Hampton Beach area.
Sheppard is being held on $10,000 cash bail and is scheduled for arraignment at 11 a.m. Thursday in Hampton District Court.