SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly crash and have made an arrest.
Just before 3p.m. Wednesday p.m., police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 23rd St N and Jackson in Wichita for an injury collision, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.
First responders found two vehicles with extensive damage. A preliminary investigation revealed that an Acura MDX was northbound on Jackson and an eastbound Nissan Altima collided at 23rd Street collided.
The Nissan was occupied by 28-year-old Nancy Lopez of Wichita and a 23-year-old woman from Wichita.
Despite the lifesaving efforts of the Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS, Lopez was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The 23-year-old was admitted to a local area hospital where she remains in critical condition.
The two occupants who were inside the Acura suffered minor injuries, and the driver identified as a 16-year-old Wichita boy was arrested and booked into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake Center on requested charges of reckless 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Reckless Aggravated Battery, according to Gupilan.
Excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the collision. Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging.
This is the 31st traffic fatality for 2023 in Wichita, according to police.