Newman wrestler killed in motorcycle crash was ‘a great, great kid’ (+videos)
A Newman University wrestler was killed in a motorcycle crash at PetSmart in west Wichita early Thursday morning, school officials said.
Reece Wright-Conklin, 21, was on his way to a part-time job at the store when he crashed, co-workers said.
“It’s a difficult day for our Newman community,” Noreen Carrocci, president of Newman, said in a statement. “It’s hard to understand God’s will in events like this.
“I’m so sorry, especially for Reece’s family and for our tight-knit athletic community that has lost a good friend.”
The university has made counselors available for students and faculty.
Wright-Conklin crashed his Honda 600 sport bike into the side of the building at 533 S. Tracy and was discovered by a co-worker arriving for work shortly after 4 a.m., Wichita police Lt. Joe Schroeder said.
He was taken to Via Christi Hospital-St. Francis in “extremely critical condition” and later died, Schroeder said.
“Evidence at the scene would indicate the individual was riding his motorcycle recklessly in the parking lot and lost control, striking the building,” Schroeder said.
Police aren’t sure when the crash occurred, Schroeder said, so investigators would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed it. Anyone with information can call 316-268-4177, he said.
A prayer service was scheduled for Thursday afternoon in St. John’s Chapel, inside Sacred Heart Hall on the Newman campus. All students, teammates, faculty and staff were invited to attend.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Co-workers said Wright-Conklin had worked at PetSmart for more than a year and was known as a hard worker who always wore a smile.
“He was just a phenomenal young man,” said Tammy O’Connell, a dog groomer at PetSmart. “He was reliable, dependable, polite — do anything in the world for you. Just a great, great kid.”
Reach Stan Finger at 316-268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com. Follow him on Twitter: @StanFinger.
This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 7:07 AM with the headline "Newman wrestler killed in motorcycle crash was ‘a great, great kid’ (+videos)."