In some news that no parent should ever have to hear out of Lawrence, Kansas, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced that a young girl studying at the University of Kansas had been killed by a hit-and-run driver, dying at the tender age of just 20 years old while trying to go for a jog.
Announcing the incident in a press release promulgated via its Facebook page at around midday on November 8, the sheriff’s office announced the name of the runner and noted that she died on Thursday, November 6. It said, “The runner who died from injuries after she was struck by a vehicle Thursday evening was Elsa McGrain, 20, a Lawrence resident and University of Kansas student from Omaha.”
Continuing, the press statement noted that the slain student had been studying on a pre-medicine track and would have graduated next year, saying, “She was studying pre-medicine and set to graduate in 2026. Our hearts go out to Elsa’s family and friends in this incredibly tragic situation.”
The sheriff’s office went on to describe the incident in which she was killed, writing, “Elsa was running and a vehicle struck her around 6 p.m. Thursday in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, which is North Seventh Street extended and south of U.S. Highway 24-40 near the Lawrence Regional Airport.”
That original statement on the matter concluded by noting, “Our deputies and detectives continue to work diligently to investigate this thoroughly, find the driver involved and work appropriately through the justice system from there. Detectives have released a second photo of a vehicle of interest in this case. Please see the accompanying photo of the truck. Detectives have determined the vehicle of interest is a truck that is all white with no side markings.”
Following up in a second press release that was promulgated the next day, saying, “After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, Nov. 9, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain.” That suspect was later identified as 36-year-old William Ray Klingler.
Elso was a member of the Chi Omega sorority on campus, and her chapter wrote, in a statement on her tragic death, Fox News Digital reported, “Elsa was the kind of person everyone wanted to be: genuine, kind, and full of light. She noticed the quiet one in the room, checked in on you whether things were good or bad, and was the loyal friend we all strive to be. She had a gift for making everyone around her feel valued and loved.”
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The sorority chapter went on to note how beloved she was by all over her friends, and how wonderful of a light and addition she was to their lives, writing, “Our hearts go out to Elsa’s friends, family, and all those who were touched by her light. Her faith, kindness, and sisterhood will forever remain in our hearts.”
Featured image credit: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office