KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Christopher Stewart, 28, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder for the fatal crash that killed 62-year-old Graciela Olivas on February 17.
Stewart was originally charged with first-degree murder, fleeing to elude police and interference with a law enforcement officer, but with the plea deal, the charges were reduced to murder in the second-degree. He also pleaded guilty to the eluding an officer charge.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, KCK police officers saw suspicious activity they believed was drug related at 27th and Shawnee Drive. As one of the vehicles drove away, a traffic violation was committed by the driver and police attempted a traffic stop.
Stewart would not pull over and sped away east on Shawnee Drive, and crashed a few blocks later into the car driven by Olivas, who died from her injuries.
Sentencing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 20.
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