Austin Hedges Sentenced in Fatal Rock Road Crash Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2026

WICHITA, Kan. — Austin Hedges, 26, was sentenced today in Sedgwick County District Court regarding the March 2024 crash that resulted in the death of 82-year-old Kathy Knorr.

Appearing before Judge Seth Rundle, Hedges was sentenced to 31 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by 24 months of post release supervision.

Hedges previously pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of reckless involuntary manslaughter.

The charges stemmed from a collision on March 16, 2024, at the intersection of Rock Road and Killarney Court.

Investigators determined that Hedges was driving northbound on Rock Road at an excessive speed when his vehicle struck Ms. Knorr’s vehicle as she was turning. Ms. Knorr passed away from her injuries two weeks later.