Current:Home > MyKansas man sentenced to 10 years for crash that killed officer, pedestrian and K-9 last February -BeyondWealth Learning
Kansas man sentenced to 10 years for crash that killed officer, pedestrian and K-9 last February
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:08:22
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man who sped through a red light in Kansas City and crashed into a patrol car has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of an officer and a bystander.
Jerron Lightfoot, 20, of Tonganoxie, Kansas, said he was “truly sorry and never intended to hurt anyone” before he was sentenced Wednesday.
The Feb. 15, 2023, crash killed Officer James Muhlbauer, who was 42, Jesse Eckes, who was 52, and Muhlbauer’s police dog, Champ.
Police determined that Lightfoot sped up to nearly 90 mph just two seconds before hitting Muhlbauer’s car on the driver’s side. The impact sent the car crashing into Eckes, who was sitting on a concrete barrier.
Lightfoot, who initially blamed his brakes, entered a guilty plea this February in which prosecutors agreed to recommend no more than 10 years in prison.
Eckes’ sister, Mandi Dunbar, argued against sentencing Lightfoot to prison, saying her brother was in and out of jail during his life. She said his life might have turned out better if he had been given a chance when he was younger.
But family and friends of Muhlbauer, a celebrated officer and father of three, sought the maximum sentence.
The hearing ended with Lightfoot handcuffed and led out of the courtroom, which was packed with friends and family, along with uniformed officers.
“Currently, I don’t think I can forgive him, maybe in time,” Muhlbauer’s widow, Cassie Muhlbauer said outside the courthouse.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- At Paris Olympics, Team USA women are again leading medal charge
- Khloe Kardashian Shares Glimpse Inside Son Tatum’s Dinosaur-Themed 2nd Birthday Party
- Stock market today: Asian stocks track Wall Street gains ahead of central bank meetings
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Jessica Springsteen goes to Bruce and E Street Band show at Wembley instead of Olympics
- Who is Doctor Doom? Robert Downey Jr.'s shocking Marvel casting explained
- Khloe Kardashian Shares Glimpse Inside Son Tatum’s Dinosaur-Themed 2nd Birthday Party
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Who Are The Nelons? What to Know About the Gospel Group Struck by Tragedy
Ranking
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- California firefighters make progress as wildfires push devastation and spread smoke across US West
- In New York, a ballot referendum meant to protect abortion may not use the word ‘abortion’
- Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. settle legal and personal disputes
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Erica Ash, Scary Movie Actress and MADtv Comedian, Dead at 46
- Hurricane season isn't over: Tropical disturbance spotted in Atlantic
- McDonald’s same-store sales fall for the 1st time since the pandemic, profit slides 12%
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Olympic medals today: What is the medal count at 2024 Paris Games on Monday?
Not All Companies Disclose Emissions From Their Investments, and That’s a Problem for Investors
Hurricane season isn't over: Tropical disturbance spotted in Atlantic
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Sinéad O'Connor's cause of death revealed: Reports
Olympic medals today: What is the medal count at 2024 Paris Games on Monday?
Watch: How to explore famous museums around the world with Google Arts & Culture