A Haysville man has been arrested for the fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred back in October that claimed the life of a Derby woman. 59-year-old Leroy Vandegrift was taken into custody Monday and charged with failure to stop at an accident, reckless but unintentional second-degree murder, and involuntary manslaughter while under the influence. The deadly crash happened on 63rd Street, south between Broadway and Hydraulic. Officials say that Vandergrift, driving a pickup truck, lost control and crashed head-on into a car being driven by 26-year-old Anastasia Rooney. According to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Vandegrift has been released after paying the bond of $250,000.
Governor Laura Kelly has issued a State of Disaster Emergency. The declaration was issued due to a wildfire in Finney County, and it authorizes the use of state personnel and resources to help with response and recovery. Kelly is urging Kansas residents to avoid outdoor burning and remain vigilant.
Ponca City police have arrested a convicted cop killer. 42-year-old Christopher Wheeler was arrested Friday night after he tried to rob a restaurant while bragging about being a cop killer. Police learned that Wheeler was convicted at 15 of shooting and killing a Wythe County Deputy in 1996. He was sentenced to 43 years in prison but was released on parole last year.
The family of a teenager who died at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake Center is suing. The family of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Wichita, Sedgwick County, ten unnamed police officers, and five Juvenile Intake Center employees. The lawsuit claims that Lofton died while in custody back in September due to the actions of Wichita police and employees at the Juvenile Intake Center. The suit cites a Kansas Department of Corrections report released in 2016 outlining systemic deficiencies at the intake center when dealing with people with mental health trauma.