Annette Hedke, wife of lawmaker, dies after being struck by vehicle in Dillons parking lot
Correction: Rep. Hedke was in his Capitol office when he learned of the accident. The location was incorrect in a previous version of this story.
The wife of a Wichita legislator died Thursday morning after she was hit by a vehicle in a Dillons parking lot at 21st and Rock Road, authorities said.
The victim, identified by legislators as Annette Hedke, 60, is the wife of three-term Rep. Dennis Hedke, R-Wichita. The Twitter account for the Kansas House Republican caucus initially announced Hedke’s wife was the victim of the accident.
She fell near her car in the parking lot shortly after 8:15 a.m. and was struck by an SUV as it left its parking stall, Lt. James Espinoza said. The SUV dragged her about 15 feet before stopping, and the driver and witnesses immediately rendered aid.
She was taken to Wesley Medical Center, a Sedgwick County emergency dispatcher said. She was pronounced dead at 8:58 a.m., Espinoza said.
The SUV driver didn’t see the woman because she had fallen, Espinoza said.
Dennis Hedke was in his Capitol office Thursday morning when he was informed of his wife’s accident. He left Topeka for Wichita shortly after.
His colleagues expressed their condolences.
“I think we’re all heartbroke. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dennis and his family,” said House Majority Leader Jene Vickrey, R-Louisburg.
Rep. Les Osterman, R-Wichita, a close friend of Hedke’s, said he was still coming to grips with the news. He added that he could relate, explaining that he lost his first wife unexpectedly in 2003.
Rep. Pete DeGraaf, R-Mulvane, said south-central Kansas lawmakers were all grieving the loss.
Dillon Stores said it was working closely with police and providing information to assist in the investigation.
“The entire Dillons family is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Annette Hedke,” Dillons president Joe Grieshaber said in a statement. “Annette was a long-time customer and friend of Dillons.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Kansas State Representative Dennis Hedke, his family, friends and constituents.”
Contributing: Bryan Lowry of The Eagle.
Reach Stan Finger at 316-268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com. Follow him on Twitter: @StanFinger.
This story was originally published February 5, 2015 at 8:52 AM with the headline "Annette Hedke, wife of lawmaker, dies after being struck by vehicle in Dillons parking lot."