KHP identifies woman who died after fleeing van hit her car
Oct 29, 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A person who was allegedly fleeing from police in a stolen van crashed into another car Monday afternoon in northeast Wichita. A 43-year-old Hutchinson woman in the car that was hit died. The 24-year-old suspect was injured.
It happened around 12:40 p.m. at 29th Street North and Wildnerness, just west of 29th Street North and Webb Road.
Wichita Police Department Captain Aaron Moses said it all started Monday morning when officers found a stolen vehicle at the River Walk Apartments near downtown Wichita. The officers were in an unmarked vehicle and began to follow the stolen vehicle. They also asked for help from the Kansas Highway Patrol air division.
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Around noon, officers saw the stolen vehicle stop at Walmart at 29th and Rock Road.
"In an attempt to keep the stolen vehicle from leaving Walmart, officers deployed spike strips that deflated two tires," Moses said. "The suspect vehicle was able to flee the Walmart, and a police vehicle was struck in the process."
He said police did not chase the vehicle, but the KHP air division continued to follow it.
"The vehicle went to a business located on North Webb Road near 35th Street, where two individuals fled on foot," Moses said. "One of those individuals was later taken into custody, and a female stole another vehicle from that business and fled south on Webb Road and then west on 29th Street."
The KHP continued to follow the vehicle.
"At 29th and Wilderness, the van struck a vehicle occupied by a 43-year-old female," Moses said.
The woman died at the scene. The 24-year-old female suspect was taken to a hospital. Police arrested the woman and plan to book her into jail when she is out of the hospital.
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The WPD asked the Kansas Highway Patrol to help with the collision investigation. The KHP report says the van was heading westbound in the eastbound lanes, while a Chevy Cobalt was heading eastbound. Both attempted an evasive maneuver to the outside lane and struck head-on. The KHP identified the victim in the Cobalt as 43-year-old Mandy L. Buckwalter.
Chief Joe Sullivan has ordered the Professional Standards Bureau to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of this incident.
If you have information about the incident and have not talked to investigators yet, the police ask that you call the accident follow-up detective at 316-350-3686.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Police want to hear from anyone with information regarding the incident.