Kansas man arrested, charged in death of KU student after hit-and-run wreck
A Lawrence man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run crash that killed a University of Kansas student Thursday.
William Ray Klingler, 36, of Lawrence was charged Sunday evening with involuntary manslaughter, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office booking log.
The Sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post that detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and thanked the public for their help in submitting tips.
Elsa McGrain, 20, was out on a run around 6 p.m. in the 1700 block of E. 1500 Road, near the Lawrence Regional Airport when she was struck by a vehicle.
A passerby notified dispatchers at 3:35 a.m. Friday, upon finding a body near the road. When deputies responded, they determined the person had died, sheriff’s office spokesperson George Diepenbrock said in an email Friday afternoon.
McGrain was studying pre-medicine and was set to graduate in 2026, according to Diepenbrock.
Klingler was in custody as of Monday morning.
This story was originally published November 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM.
