Deadly DUI crash suspect arrested after Wichita wreck that killed 1, hospitalized more

A Wichita man is accused of driving drunk or drugged in a deadly crash that happened Saturday afternoon.

Michael Wayne Walker is being held in the Sedgwick County jail after Wichita police arrested him in connection to the wreck that killed Rita Hawkins and hospitalized additional people.

The wreck happened at around 2:25 p.m. near Pawnee and Glenn, when emergency crews were called to a two-vehicle injury accident with people trapped. Police said three people were taken to a hospital.

Sedgwick County jail reports released Sunday morning showed Walker, age 32, was arrested at Pawnee and Glenn. He was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, two counts of aggravated battery while DUI, driving on the wrong side of the road and driving with a license that has been canceled, suspended or revoked.

Sunday afternoon, WPD spokesman Officer Charley Davidson said in a news release that one of the hospitalized crash victims had died from her injuries. He identified the victim as Hawkins, a 74-year-old woman from Wichita.

Investigators determined that Walker was driving a 2005 Kia Sorrento eastbound on Pawnee, when he crossed the center line and entered the westbound lanes, Davidson said. Walker’s vehicle then collided with a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer that Hawkins was riding in, causing the Sorrento to roll onto its top.

At the scene, Michael Levalley said two people were in the Sorrento. Levalley, a former EMT, was driving by with his son when he came upon the wreck. Levalley said he opened up the rear hatch on the vehicle to try and help the passenger escape. The driver escaped out of the front window during that time, and Levalley said he helped clear debris and redirect the passenger to escape from the same window.

Levalley said he then went to check on people in the other vehicle, and checked a pulse and injuries on a man laying on the ground before first responders arrived. Levalley said he told firemen the man was taking “shallow breaths” and “he has a decent pulse.”

An EMS station is at the corner of the intersection, but police and firefighters arrived first, Sgt. Brian Bachman said.

The three people in the Lancer were trapped inside the car, Davidson said. They were taken to a hospital after they were rescued from the wreckage with the help of firefighters. The Lancer’s 66-year-old female driver was seriously hurt, while Hawkins and a male passenger, age 77, were critically injured.

Walker and his 29-year-old passenger sustained minor injuries, Davidson said. Bachman said they were treated at the scene.

Davidson said the investigation is ongoing and will be presented to the Sedgwick County district attorney’s office for formal charges.

This story was originally published May 29, 2021 at 2:48 PM.