Wichita police are investigating two cases of vehicular homicide that occurred within about an hour each other. According to news releases:
About 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the 1500 block of East 21st Street North for an injury crash. They found Abdelmuttalib Mohammed, 57, of Georgia, under a truck. Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead.
Investigators determined Mohammed had been in a verbal altercation with a suspect he did not know. During the altercation, the suspect began backing into a parking stall with his semitractor-trailer, striking Mr. Mohammed.
The suspect, a 46-year-old Oklahoma man, was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on charges of second-degree murder.
About 6:30 p.m., another crash took place at Harry and Rock Road, killing 14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa. A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper who was in the area after the accident saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.
The preliminary investigation indicates the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Jackson, who died on scene from his injuries.
Witnesses on scene identified the 19-year-old suspect who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. The 19-year-old suspect was admitted to a hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. The passenger is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.
Wichita police are following up on leads to locate and arrest the 19-year-old suspect, Gauge Brasher. According to a news release, WPD does not typically identify suspects who have not been formally charged. But police believe the alleged recklessness of Mr. Brasher’s actions make him a danger to the community. =The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for charging.
“This was not an accident. It was a series of reckless choices,” Chief Joe Sullivan said. “When you mix extreme speed with suspected impairment, you turn a vehicle into a weapon. We will pursue full accountability for the death of this young man and his family, and the danger brought to our community.”
Anyone who has information on the location of Gauge Brasher is asked to call 911 immediately. To provide information related to this incident please call AFU investigators at 316-350-3685. To remain anonymous, you can submit a tip through Crime Stoppers at (316)-267-2111.
