LAWRENCE — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver of a fatal hit-and-run crash on May 14 at East 1900 Road and Kansas Highway 10, and investigators are actively searching for the suspect, according to Sheriff Jay Armbrister.
“The driver of the van was identified immediately after locating the van, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Authorities believe publicly disclosing his name will hinder law enforcement's ability to take him into custody.
We ask for the community's continued patience as we work tirelessly to locate and bring this person safely into custody,” Armbrister said. “Once the driver is apprehended and we can provide more information, we believe the community will understand the circumstances.”
After conducting an extensive investigation that included witness interviews, deputies early in the investigation were able to identify the man suspected of driving the van that struck a motorcycle about 5:19 p.m., May 14. Brooklyn Brouhard, 10, of Eudora, later died from injuries suffered in the crash.
She was a passenger on the motorcycle driven by her grandfather Barry Larson, 54, also of Eudora, who was also injured.
Witnesses reported the driver of the white van after the collision proceeded down the ramp leaving its bumper behind and returned to eastbound K-10. Based on vehicle debris at the scene, witness interviews and assistance from area law enforcement agencies, deputies identified the vehicle and seized it on May 16 in the Kansas City area.
After identifying the driver, deputies have worked to locate him and bring him into custody.
Authorities continue to make a plea to the driver to turn himself in. “The
Sheriff’s Office will continue to do everything we can to bring answers for Brooklyn and her family," said Armbrister.
Anyone with knowledge or information about the suspected driver’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477), where callers may be eligible for a reward for credible information leading to an arrest.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation of a hit and run accident that killed a 9-year-old Kansas girl. Authorities in Douglas County have not reported an arrest or that they identified the driver.
On May 16, the sheriff's office reported they located a vehicle in the Kansas City area they suspect to be the transit van involved in the crash, according to a media release from the Douglas County Sheriff's office.
Brooklyn Brouhard, 9, of Eudora died from injuries suffered in the crash that occurred just after 5p.m. on May 14. She was passenger on a motorcycle driven by her grandfather 54-year-old Barry Larson who was also injured.
Larson was driving a motorcycle northbound on East 1900 Road with Brooklyn as a passenger. As the motorcycle approached the overpass, the transit van moved forward from the stop sign and the top of the eastbound off ramp from K-10 and into the intersection and struck the motorcycle.
Witnesses reported that after the collision, the driver of the white van proceeded down the ramp leaving its black front bumper cover behind and returned to eastbound K-10.
EMS transported Larson and his granddaughter to an area hospital where she died. The Douglas County sheriff's office released no new details over the past week.
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