WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – Wichita police say a 21-year-old driver was allegedly speeding and under the influence when he struck and killed a pedestrian last week.
The Sedgwick County Jail’s website shows Martin Tovar-Tavares was booked Sunday evening for second-degree murder. He was charged on Monday, according to online court records. He’s being held on $500,000 bond.
Officers responded shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, the report of a crash and a man lying in the street in the 1200 block of South Topeka, just south of Lincoln. First responders arrived and found that a white Ford Focus had collided with a parked vehicle. The 21-year-old driver was taken to an area hospital.
Tyrone Carter was found lying in the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene.
“Preliminary information indicates the driver was traveling south on Topeka when he struck the pedestrian, who was walking in the roadway, before crashing into a parked vehicle,” WPD said in a release late Thursday morning.
Sgt. Nathan Toman said previously that the victim was believed to be in a wheelchair. Police later said that Carter was pushing a wheelchair containing unsidsclosed items.
WPD’s release said alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors. Tovar-Tavarez was in custody at the hospital before being booked into jail.
A GoFundMe has been launched for Carter’s family.