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A 23-year-old Valley Center man was ordered Friday to spend 30 months in prison for killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash last year. He must also pay $7,500 in restitution toward the victim’s funeral costs, Sedgwick County District Judge Jeffrey Goering ruled.
The sentence falls between the prison terms attorneys involved in the case had requested. Prosecutors wanted Chase G. Faimon to receive 34 months for involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with the Feb. 20, 2023, death of 48-year-old Kristine Sheffield of Wichita. Faimon’s defense lawyers asked for less time, 24 months.
Faimon pleaded guilty in June.
Police and prosecutors have said Faimon was doing stunts on his motorcycle, trying to goad officers into chasing him, before he hit Sheffield while she was crossing the street at 11th and Broadway. The collision happened around 7:15 p.m.
Faimon — who maintains he thought he struck an animal, a pothole or garbage in the road — fled after the crash and was arrested only after authorities released photos of the motorcyclist to the public. His defense lawyer, Shelby Shelton, said Friday in court that Faimon returned to the scene of the collision in a car, realized something was wrong and called his parents, who contacted an attorney for advice. He turned himself into authorities the following day at that attorney’s urging.
Sheffield died at a Wichita hospital shortly after she was hit.
In court Friday, Sheffield’s brother said her death had devastated their family, especially his aging father, a Vietnam veteran.
“This whole ordeal has been tough,” Wayne Molt, Jr., said in a speech woven with Bible verses and inspirational quotes that touched on forgiveness.
Hearing Faimon say “guilty” to charges at his June plea hearing helped him begin to find peace in a deadly situation that was “completely avoidable,” Molt said.
When it was his turn to speak, Faimon apologized to Sheffield’s relatives and pleaded for mercy.
“I never meant to put you guys though anything like this,” he said, adding that the ordeal had also been a burden on him and his family.
This story will be updated.
Wichita police provided this photo of a motorcyclist they believe struck a 48-year-old Kristine Sheffield, who died on Feb. 20 after being hit while crossing the street.
Chase G. Faimon mugshot
Motorcyclist killed Wichita pedestrian while doing stunts last year. He pled guilty
Motorcyclist charged in February fatal hit-and-run crash arrested while out on bond
