Mandy
A Kansas woman has been sent to prison following a deadly crash near Wichita that claimed the life of a teenage girl in 2024. The sentencing brings a legal close to a tragic incident that unfolded during a roadside vigil meant to honor another crash victim.
Prison Sentence Handed Down for 2024 Crash
On Friday, Trisha Greer, a resident of Derby, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The conviction stems from a May 14, 2024 crash that occurred outside Wichita.
In addition to the prison term, Greer was also ordered to complete 36 months of post-release supervision, extending court oversight well beyond her incarceration.
Deadly Incident Occurred at Vigil Site
The fatal crash happened on 55th Street South near Hoover Road, an area where a large group of people had gathered that evening.
According to court documents, the group was holding a memorial vigil for a motorcyclist who had died in a crash at the same location just two days earlier.
Among those present was Bethany Leggio, an 18-year-old student at Campus High School. Investigators later confirmed that Leggio was standing in the center of the roadway when she was struck by Greer’s SUV.
Despite emergency efforts, Leggio succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead after the crash.
Investigation Revealed Alcohol Impairment
Court records and an arrest affidavit revealed that alcohol impairment played a significant role in the crash. Authorities determined that Greer had been drinking before getting behind the wheel.
A blood alcohol test showed Greer’s BAC was 0.171%, which is more than twice the legal driving limit in Kansas. This level of intoxication formed a key part of the prosecution’s case.
Witnesses Report Headlights Were Off
Multiple witnesses told Sedgwick County deputies that Greer’s headlights were not turned on as she drove through the area moments before the collision. This detail added to concerns about driver awareness and visibility, especially given the presence of pedestrians at the vigil site.
Investigators used witness accounts, forensic evidence, and toxicology reports to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal impact.
Guilty Plea and Legal Outcome
Greer formally pleaded guilty in October 2024, avoiding a trial and accepting responsibility for the charge of involuntary manslaughter. The judge’s sentence reflects both the seriousness of the offense and the lasting impact on the victim’s family and community.
The case has since become a sobering reminder of the dangers of drunk driving, particularly in areas where pedestrians are present.
The prison sentence handed to Trisha Greer marks a painful but necessary step toward accountability in a tragic case that began at a memorial gathering and ended with another life lost.
The death of Bethany Leggio underscores how quickly impaired driving can devastate families and communities. As the Wichita-area community continues to grieve, this case stands as a powerful warning about the irreversible consequences of driving under the influence and the importance of vigilance on shared roadways.