Man accused in fatal hit and run appears in court
LAWRENCE - The man Douglas County prosecutors say is responsible for a fatal hit and run accident made his first appearance in court on Wednesday. Sean Walker was charged with involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in the death of 19 year-old Mary Grace Paez.
In the early morning hours of October 10, 2012, Paez was driving to a friend's house. Investigators say she was heading south when she was hit by a westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee. According to prosecutors, behind the wheel was a drunk Sean Walker. The District Attorney has also accused Walker of leaving the accident after the crash. Paez was pronounced dead at the scene.
While Walker was arrested and served time for a separate crime, today's proceedings are just the next step in what's been a long and painful process for the Paez family. Last December, they reached a $100,000 settlement with Walker's car insurance company. Their lawyer says the amount doesn't come close to relieving the pain of losing their daughter.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Walker faces anywhere between four to 14 years in prison. Walker is being held in the Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bond.