Preliminary hearing scheduled in hearing related to 2010 deadly crash

A Douglas County judge on Wednesday scheduled a September preliminary hearing for a 23-year-old Overland Park man who faces an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with a 2010 deadly crash in west Lawrence.

Defense attorney Scott Gyllenborg, who is representing Sean Walker, asked District Judge Michael Malone for a preliminary hearing in about two months as he reviews reports in the case.

“It’s a very technical case, and there is a significant amount of discovery,” said prosecutor Greg Benefiel, an assistant Douglas County district attorney.

Prosecutors accuse Walker of driving drunk early on Oct. 14, 2010, while heading west on Clinton Parkway and striking a southbound car driven by Mary Grace Paez, 19, of Lawrence. Paez died at the scene; according to a police report, Walker’s blood-alcohol content after the crash was 0.23, nearly three times the state’s legal limit.

Prosecutors are scheduled to present evidence at a Sept. 20 preliminary hearing.