WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Sentencing is scheduled for later this month for a woman who pleaded guilty in connection with a fatal crash that killed a beloved Heartspring employee.
The victim, Mandy L. Buckwalter, 43, was killed on Oct. 28, 2024 , when a driver fleeing in a stolen van crashed into her Chevy Cobalt head-on near 29th and Webb Road.
Katelyn Barrioz, 24, of Wichita, was arrested after being discharged from the hospital.
Man dies in motorcycle crash in Reno County
Police had called off the chase with Barrioz shortly before the crash. She was initially facing charges of first-degree murder, or in the alternative second-degree murder, along with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, aggravated burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property.
She had been scheduled for arraignment Monday morning, but instead, she pled guilty to second-degree murder, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, and theft. Judge Seth Rundle scheduled sentencing for Barrioz for April 28…