SEDGWICK COUNTY —A judge will decided Thursday if a Kansas woman accused in a double-fatal crash is competent to stand trial.
Clowie Ann McLaughlin, 80 Augusta, is scheduled to appear before Judge Sean Hatfield, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In April, her case was taken off the court docket while she completed a competency evaluation.
McLaughlin is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, severity level 4 person felonies, in the deaths of 42-year-old LaShea Bell and her daughter, 25-year-old A’Niah Bell.
The crash happened around 9:35 p.m. August 30, 2025, at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in Wichita
According to Wichita police, McLaughlin’s black Chevrolet truck collided with a white BMW carrying the Bells and a gray Jeep driven by a 41-year-old man. LaShea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while A’Niah Bell later died at a local hospital. The Jeep driver was treated at the scene and released.
Police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the collision. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment of her own injuries and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail after being medically cleared. She bonded out of jail the following day after posting a $100,000 bond.
If the judge decides she is not fit for trial, she could be sent to the Larned State Hospital.