Woman, 43, dies after stolen van collides with sedan she was driving in east Wichita
A 43-year-old Hutchinson woman died in a crash that involved a stolen vehicle Monday in east Wichita.
The victim’s name has not yet been released.
Earlier Monday, Wichita police officers found a stolen vehicle that was being occupied at the River Walk Apartments in the 2700 block of S. Emporia in south Wichita, Wichita police spokesperson Aaron Moses said.
Officers followed the stolen vehicle, with the occupants unaware that they were being followed. The Kansas Highway Patrol’s mobile air unit was assisting Wichita police.
Around noon, the stolen vehicle made its way to the 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. Officers did not pursue the vehicle.”
The KHP followed the vehicle by air and saw it went to a business on north Webb Road near 35th Street, where two people exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
One was apprehended, but a 24-year-old Wichita woman evaded police, stole a van from the business and fled south on Webb, police said. The van struck a sedan at 29th and Wilderness.
The driver of the sedan, the 43-year-old woman, died at the scene from her injuries. The 24-year-old suspect was taken to a hospital with injuries to be checked out and was later arrested, a police news release said.
Police did not provide additional details on the crash.
“We anticipate more information to be available later this week, where we’ll hold a press conference to provide that due to the early nature of this investigation, we’re not going to take questions at this point, and that’s the information we have,” Moses said at the scene.
This story was originally published October 28, 2024 at 4:30 PM.