SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas police officer charged in connection with a car crash as he was responding to a call is scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday.
In June, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office filed four counts of aggravated battery against former Wichita Police Department officer 22-year-old Jayce Bennett, in connection with a crash that occurred on April 18.
The charges were filed following a review of evidence gathered during the investigation into the incident.
Five people were injured in the accident involving a police vehicle just after 10p.m. Saturday April 18, in Sedgwick County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Ford Explorer driven by Wichita Police Officer Jayce D. Bennett, 22, was southbound on Hillside Avenue at 1st Street with emergency lights activated, responding to an emergency call.
The officer failed to safely clear the intersection and ran the red light, according to the KHP.
The SUV struck an eastbound 2015 Hyundai Sonata driven by Morgan R. Singletary, in the intersection. After impat the Police SUV rolled southbound into the northbound lanes and came to rest on the sidewalk. The car spun an unknown number of times and came to rest in the Southbound lanes of Hillside.
EMS transported both driver to Wesley Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. Three passengers in the car identified as Gabrielle L Miller, 26; Christina M. Dimattia, 27, both of Wichita and Lauren A. Wools, 27, Topeka, had minor injuries, according to the Patrol. Offier Bennett and Dimattia were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.
The DA's office scheduled Bennett's first court appearance in the case for July 7.