A Shawnee man was charged Monday afternoon after a woman died from injuries sustained in a car wreck.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office said Raphael Eugene Sherman, 21, has been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless aggravated battery.
The district attorney's office said Sherman was traveling westbound on 75th Street at Metcalf in Overland Park on Sunday night when he ran a red light and struck a Chevy Silverado truck and a Toyota Sienna minivan.
Officers with the Prairie Village Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle on West 75th Street near Lamar Avenue. The vehicle initially indicated that it was going to pull over, but continued on West 75th Street, police said. The fleeing vehicle accelerated away from officers and was involved in the fatal collision.
A passenger in the truck, 25-year-old Denisse Lopez, died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the crash, according to the district attorney's office. She was 39 weeks pregnant.
Overland Park police said doctors were able to deliver her baby, and the child is said to be doing well.
Dr. Carl Weianer with the University of Kansas Hospital says nature creates a natural barrier for unborn babies. He says the baby was lucky but he's not surprised.
"Nature has done a great job. There is water around the baby and that water cannot be compressed," Weianer said.
Other people involved in the crash were transported to local hospitals.
Sherman will have his first court appearance on Jan. 12.
Suspect’s sister: He’s extremely sorry
Sherman’s sister, Jayla Wilson, said her brother was on his way to work when the crash happened.
“When I spoke to him, he couldn't even talk, knowing that someone lost their life because him rushing to work,” she said. “He’s extremely sorry. He sends his condolences and our family is praying for them.”
Editor's Note: This story previously showed an incorrect mugshot. The Johnson County Sheriff's Department's website provided the incorrect photo. We apologize for the error.
------
-----
