WICHITA, KAN. – A man who admitted smashing into several vehicles in the parking lot of a south Wichita nightclub has been sentenced.
District Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Jason Beard, 43 of Wichita, to 24 months of probation with an underlying sentence of 20 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
If Beard violates probation, he would be ordered to serve the prison time. The Judge also ordered Beard to pay $5,000 in restitution to the nightclub, $1,330 to an individual whose car was damaged and $500 each to two other car owners.
Based on Beard’s limited criminal history, (History “I”) the defendant was placed in a “presumptive probation” category by the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines. The court followed the legal presumption.
On August 11, 2022, Sedgwick County Sheriff deputies were called to Club Rodeo, 3426 E. MacArthur Road to the report of an injury accident and building collapse. A silver Yukon Denali drove through the parking lot, striking multiple vehicles and the building.
One of the club’s bouncers was dragged by the driver of the Denali when the bouncer tried to stop it. He was later taken to a hospital with a foot injury. Witnesses say Beard backed the large SUV into the Club Rodeo building two or three times, damaging the metal façade, the front sliding glass door, and a pillar holding up a portion of the roof. On the way out of the parking lot, Beard’s vehicle struck four unoccupied vehicles.
Beard was later arrested after he abandoned his vehicle on MacArthur.
On March 23, Beard pled guilty to aggravated battery, five counts of criminal damage to property, and three counts of misdemeanor assault.
During sentencing Tuesday afternoon, Judge Brown ordered Beard to go to Alcoholics Anonymous three times a week for 90 days.
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