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Accident – death – Obituary News :
Topeka Police Officer’s Pursuit Leads to Fatal Crash, Court Document Reveals
A fatal crash in Topeka, Kansas on October 30th was preceded by a police officer’s attempt to stop an unrestrained driver, according to a court document. The incident, which resulted in the death of 33-year-old Alycia A. Noriega, is now part of the trial of murder defendant Michael Shane Lester.
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The affidavit, obtained by the Capital-Journal through a motion filed under the Kansas Open Records Act, provides details of the circumstances surrounding the accident. Topeka Police Officer Jared Strathman authored the affidavit.
killed Oct. 30 in a crash that occurred at this scene in North Topeka. Michael Shane Lester, 38, faces charged that include first-degree murder in the commission of a felony.” orientation=”horizontal” class=”spacer-large” />
Details of the Incident
According to the affidavit, an officer identified as “C. Allensworth” was driving a marked patrol vehicle and wearing his uniform when he stopped at a traffic light at NE Golden and Seward avenues. At the same time, a Dodge Durango was also stopped at the light, facing north.
The officer noticed that the driver of the Durango was not wearing a seatbelt and was attempting to put it on while waiting at the light. When the light changed, Officer Allensworth executed a U-turn and activated the emergency equipment in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.
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However, the driver of the Durango did not stop and continued driving. Allensworth followed the vehicle as it headed north to NE Sardou Avenue, driving at an estimated speed of 55 to 60 mph. The driver of the Durango was observed veering left of center and passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone.
Allensworth believed that the driver posed a danger to the general public due to their reckless driving. The officer deactivated the emergency equipment and slowed down until the suspect was out of sight.
The Fatal Crash
At approximately 12:09 p.m., surveillance cameras captured the blue Durango driving past a business in the 1300 block of NW Topeka Boulevard. Just a minute later, dispatchers received a report of an accident near Tyler and St. John involving the Durango and a 2015 Subaru Forester.
The driver of the Durango fled the scene on foot, leaving behind Alycia A. Noriega, the driver of the Forester. Noriega was rushed to a Topeka hospital but was pronounced dead at 2:43 p.m. on October 30th.
Following a tip, police located Michael Shane Lester at a specific residence. He was apprehended and booked into the Shawnee County Jail on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree reckless but unintentional murder, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Lester is currently being held on a $1 million bond and also has a warrant from the Topeka Municipal Court for unrelated offenses.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.
