HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man arrested after he left the scene of a fatality accident didn’t appear in court as scheduled Friday.
28-year-old Homer Beebe of Clifton, Colorado apparently hired a local attorney who entered his appearance in the case. When this happens, it means the defendant is not be required to appear in court. His appearance will now come on July 8, as part of a waiver-status docket in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen.
Beebe has been charged by the state for failing to stop at a accident. The state alleges that he should have known that the accident resulted in injury or death. Beebe allegedly fled from the scene on foot, but was arrested later at a Hutchinson home. The charge is a level five, person felony with a sentencing range of 31-to-156 months in prison depending on his criminal history.
Meanwhile, the woman injured in the accident is improving. 28-year-old Marena Gumber of Palisade, Colorado is listed in fair condition at Via-Cristi St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita. She had been trapped in Beebe’s vehicle after the crash, but was flown to Wichita for treatment. 34-year-old Pedro Perez of Hutchinson was killed as a result of the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Beebe’s vehicle collided with the Perez vehicle of 11th and Main early Sunday morning. That caused the Perez vehicle to collide with a parked vehicle.
Authorities are waiting for the results of toxicology tests to determine if a more serious charge may be warranted.