Jackson Nzabonimpa Obituary, Death; Wichita police name crash victim, search for suspect who fled hospital.
Jackson Nzabonimpa Obituary, Death – Wichita police are searching for a 19-year-old man suspected of causing the death of a teenage boy in a crash that happened Wednesday night near the intersection of Harry and Rock Roads. On Thursday, authorities identified the victim as 14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa.
According to police spokesperson Andrew Ford, a preliminary investigation shows that the suspect was driving a BMW at a high rate of speed when the vehicle struck a power pole and a utility box. The impact of the collision caused both the pole and the box to be pushed into Jackson, fatally injuring him. Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area witnessed the driver and a passenger, identified as a 24-year-old man, fleeing the wrecked BMW on foot. The trooper pursued them, and both men were arrested after a brief chase. While the passenger was taken into custody, police later determined he was not involved in the criminal actions that led to the crash and released him without charges.
The driver, however, was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment following his arrest. Ford stated that, despite being in police custody, the suspect later left the hospital. Police spokesperson Brad Wright explained that the man left “against medical advice” after officers departed from the facility. Wright also noted that in situations where suspects require significant medical care, it is not unusual for them to be released from direct police custody while in a hospital setting.
This handling of the suspect’s release has prompted questions within the department. Wright said that Wichita Police Chief Joseph Sullivan has ordered a review of the case to determine whether the suspect’s release from the hospital was appropriate and to assess if changes to department policy are necessary.
As of now, the 19-year-old suspect remains at large, and police are actively seeking information on his whereabouts. The department is urging anyone with knowledge of the incident or the suspect’s location to contact authorities immediately.
The tragic death of Jackson Nzabonimpa has left his family, friends, and the community in mourning. Local residents have expressed shock over the incident, particularly given the young age of the victim and the allegations of reckless and impaired driving. Community members are calling for justice and for measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This case is still under investigation, and police are working to gather additional evidence, including eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage from the area, to support potential charges once the suspect is apprehended. In the meantime, authorities are emphasizing the dangers of driving under the influence and the devastating consequences it can have, as shown in this fatal collision.
