photo by: Kansas Department of Corrections

William Ray Klingler

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Sunday located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run fatality that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain.

William Ray Klingler, 36, of Lawrence, was arrested Sunday evening on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter. The arrest location is listed as 1783 East 1500 Road.

McGrain, of Omaha, Nebraska, was struck and killed around 6 p.m. while running in the 1700 block of East 1500 Road. The suspected driver left the scene.

photo by: Contributed

Elsa McGrain

Court records indicate that Klingler has a criminal record going back more than 20 years, including multiple DUI and drug charges. In a pending Douglas County case from April 2024, he was charged with a fourth or subsequent DUI offense, as well as methamphetamine and circumvention of an ignition interlock device. He served a prison stint in 2021 after being convicted of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.

Detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, a news release from the sheriff said.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked area law enforcement agencies for their assistance in the investigation, as well as members of the community who responded with possible tips and shared information.

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for a fund in memory of McGrain, “dedicated to continuing her impact through acts of care and opportunity in her name.” As of Monday evening, it had raised more than $10,000; you can find it at gofundme.com/f/support-elsa-mcgrains-family-in-their-time-of-loss.