Prominent Burlington folk artist Douglas Knapp will appear in court next month to face a charge of negligent operation with death resulting for the Pine Street crash that fatally injured 16-year-old Shiloh Skalka.
Knapp, 79, who paints under the moniker Dug Nap, was issued a citation to appear in court on August 27, Burlington police announced in a press release on Friday. The police released no new details of the crash and said additional information would be included in an affidavit that will be made public on Knapp’s court date.
Skalka was riding an e-bike south on Pine Street near Locust Street at 1 p.m. on July 16 when Knapp, who was headed in the same direction, struck her with a minivan, police previously said. Skalka was wearing a helmet. She died of her injuries later that day.
She was a rising junior at Burlington High School.
“A straight-A student, she excelled in history, science and especially art,” her family said in an obituary. “Through her paintings and drawings, she expressed a precise, thoughtful and deeply perceptive soul.” A memorial service is scheduled for August 7.
Her family is establishing a memorial fund “to carry forward her legacy of kindness,” according to a write-up on the site GoFundMe. The fund, which is being established with the Vermont Community Foundation, will support programs and organizations “aligned with Shiloh’s values,” including youth art and animal welfare initiatives. It had raised $74,215 as of Friday afternoon.
Knapp did not immediately return a phone call from Seven Days.
Investigators worked closely with Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George to determine the appropriate charge, police said in the news release. The investigation is ongoing, and police asked anyone with information to reach out to Det. Padric Hartnett at 802-540-2351.