UPDATE (1/13): Denisse Lopez's family and the family of the baby's father released the following statement:
On behalf of the Ramos and Madero families, we wish to thank everyone involved in the care of Denisse and her newborn baby. From First Responders, police, hospital staff and others, we are grateful that we have a baby, which is a true miracle from God. While we will miss Denisse every day, she is a hero for giving our families a baby, even as she suffered traumatic injuries. We wish to thank everyone for their love, prayers and support throughout this tragic time in our lives. We ask for your continued prayers, support and privacy as we adjust to our lives without her.
The baby is in good condition at the hospital, according medical staff.
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A three-car accident that killed a 25-year-old mother-to-be could have been prevented, according to Johnson County prosecutors.
Denisse Lopez died Sunday night as a result of injuries sustained during a crash near 75th Street and Metcalf Avenue.
According to the Johnson County District Attorney's Office, Raphael Sherman, 21, was traveling westbound on 75th and Metcalf in Overland Park on Sunday night when he ran a red light and struck a Chevy Silverado truck and a Toyota Sienna minivan.
Prosecutors said officers with the Prairie Village Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle Sherman was driving. The vehicle initially indicated it was going to pull over but continued to accelerate and ran a red light, according to prosecutors.
"In five seconds we went from someone being able to pull over to a fatality accident. That's how quickly it can escalate," said Johnson County Prosecutor Stephen Howe.
According to an affidavit, police found a stolen loaded handgun in Sherman's vehicle. Sherman told police he found the weapon "on the grass" and did not know it was stolen. He also said he did not remember the crash or the moments leading up to it. When he was in an ambulance after the crash, he told medics that had smoked marijuana. When police asked him about it, Sherman told them he smoked in the late morning hours, according to the affidavit.
Sherman is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless aggravated battery. He is being held on a $250,000 bond, and if released, must wear an ankle bracelet and be placed under house arrest.
Police chases in the metro
Police chases, Howe said, are becoming a problematic and "frustrating" trend.
"People think that, 'Well [Hollywood] can do it then I can do it, as far as running from police and speeding," said Howe. "Unlike Hollywood, what happens in the real world is people die."
Here are just some of the police chases that occurred in the metro area over the past year:
- Feb. 13, 2015: Police said a man stole pest control truck and crashed into a church playground in KCK; he was shot and killed by police.
- Sept. 15, 2015: Gun battle, chase and deadly crash in the northeast; mother of six killed.
- Sept. 16, 2015: Police fire shots at chase suspects at gas station.
- Dec. 12, 2015: Two killed in chase that ended in Swope Park.
- Dec. 15, 2015: Wrong-way chase on I-70; cars were clipped, but there were no injuries.
- Dec. 21, 2015: Chase in Leawood; one person hurt.
To discourage people from engage in police chases, Howe said he and other prosecutors have asked the Kansas state legislature to increase penalties for involuntary manslaughter. In Kansas, the penalty ranges from three to 10 years in jail.
"I hope it builds some pressure maybe to look at more enhanced sentences but I don't know if we increase penalties, if we will stop this behavior," he said. "No one wins in this situation."
Lopez's unborn child did survive the crash.
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