Hutchinson woman died in an accident involving a stolen vehicle, 2 suspects were arrested

On October 30, 2024By Karl

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – October 29 update: Mandy Buckwalter was identified in Kansas Highway Patrol crash records as the woman killed in Monday’s crash.

Wichita police arrested a 24-year-old woman following a crash in east Wichita on Monday that killed a 43-year-old woman from Hutchinson.

Capt. Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department said the incident began Monday morning when officers found a stolen vehicle in the Riverwalk Apartments parking lot.

Moses said officers followed the stolen vehicle in an unmarked vehicle and the suspects did not notice. The Kansas Highway Patrol was called to assist the mobile aerial unit.

Around noon, officers saw the stolen vehicle stopped at the Walmart at 29th Street and Rock Road. They placed spike strips that deflated two tires, but the vehicle fled, crashing into a police car in the process.

Moses said officers did not pursue the stolen vehicle, but KHP followed it from above. The suspects fled the stolen vehicle by going to a business on North Webb Road.

While officers arrested a male, a female suspect stole another vehicle from the business and fled south on Webb Road, then west on 29th Street.

The stolen van then crashed into a sedan at 29th Street and Wilderness Avenue, Moses said. A 43-year-old woman in the vehicle died at the scene.

The 24-year-old female suspect was taken to the hospital for evaluation and arrested after being released from the hospital.

Anyone with information about the incident who has not spoken to investigators should contact an AFU detective at 316-350-3686. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.