KU student killed in hit-and-run accident

Police ask witnesses to come forward

A 22-year-old man, identified as a Kansas University student, was killed early Saturday morning in a hit-and-run accident, Lawrence Police said.

The victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later in the day, police found the driver suspected of leaving the scene in a silver Toyota Camry, according to a statement. Officers are continuing to investigate the accident and said nothing Saturday about an arrest.

The victim was struck while he was walking across the intersection at 13th and Kentucky streets, officers said. The car continued northbound on Kentucky Street, a one-way street going north. It was reported to police at 1:09 a.m., according to a news release. Two stop signs on 13th Street are used to control the intersection. Fluorescent yellow pedestrian-crossing signs are posted near the intersection.

The car sustained damage to the right front corner, quarter panel and passenger side of the vehicle, police said.

A news conference is scheduled for Monday morning, when the victim’s name should be released, Sgt. Paul Fellers said.

KU spokeswoman Lynn Bretz said Saturday evening that a student was killed in the accident. Pending notification of family members, he was not identified.

Bretz also said university officials believe two people were with the victim during the accident, including another KU student.

In March 1998, a KU student was killed in a late-night accident on another one-way street through the Oread Neighborhood.

KU freshman Lisa Rosel, 19, of Overland Park, had fallen down while walking across southbound Tennessee Street near the 14th Street intersection and was run over by a sport-utility vehicle driven by another KU student, Matthew Vestal, according to published reports.

Investigators, through lab results, determined that both students were intoxicated, and Vestal was later sentenced to 30 days in jail and probation after pleading no contest to involuntary manslaughter.

Less than one year after the accident, the city changed the traffic light patterns at the Tennessee intersection to include more red lights during the late-night hours because of the proximity to student bars and pedestrian traffic.

As the investigation continues on Saturday morning’s accident, police are asking anyone who may have witnessed it to call the department at 832-7501.