Wichita Police say a 13-year-old girl has died after being dragged for miles by her family's SUV that had been stolen.
It happened at approximately Noon Saturday. The girl was sitting in the back seat of the running vehicle while her family went inside a restaurant to get food. Police say 34-year-old Kevin Palmer got into the driver's seat and took off. The girl tried to get out of the vehicle while it was moving but was caught in the seat belt and dragged.
A citizen saw the deadly situation, called 911, and followed the vehicle. At Kellogg and West Street, Palmer stopped the SUV and fled on foot. Palmer was quickly arrested by officers arriving at the call. The girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This is one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my over 28 years of law enforcement,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “WPD sends its thoughts and prayers to family, friends, and others affected by this tragic incident.”
Palmer is charged with felony murder. Additionally, he was previously convicted of multiple felony crimes.