Kansas

Beloved pre-med student, sorority member killed by hit-and-run driver while jogging

Published

4 months ago

November 9, 2025

Beloved pre-med student, sorority member killed by hit-and-run driver while jogging

A “beloved” college student was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while jogging in Kansas and her body wasn’t discovered for nearly 10 hours, according to authorities.

Elsa McGrain, 20, was jogging near the Lawrence Regional Airport around 6 p.m. Thursday when she was hit by a truck, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

McGrain’s body was not found until 3:35 a.m. on Friday, after a passerby discovered her and called the police, cops said.

Elsa McGrain, 20, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while jogging in Kansas. Douglas County Sheriff

After processing the scene, authorities determined she had died while running in the area, police added.

The hit-and-run driver was behind the wheel of an all-white pickup truck when the fatal crash occurred, according to photos released by the department.

McGrain, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, was a pre-med student at the University of Kansas slated to graduate in 2026, police said.

“Our hearts go out to Elsa’s family and friends in this incredibly tragic situation,” cops wrote in a statement.

She was also a member of the Chi Omega sorority, where she served on the executive board as house manager, according to a heartbreaking tribute posted by her sorority sisters on Instagram.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved sister, Elsa McGrain,” the sorority wrote in a statement.

Surveillance image of the vehicle involved in the hit and run of Elsa McGrain. — Authorities have released images of the vehicle of interest in the hit-and-run. Douglas County Sheriff

“Elsa was the kind of person everyone wanted to be: genuine, kind, and full of light. She noticed the quiet one in the room, checked in on you whether things were good or bad, and was the loyal friend we all strive to be,” the statement said.

“She had a gift for making everyone around her feel valued and loved.”

Authorities are still investigating the crash and have urged anyone who recognizes the vehicle of interest or was in the area of E. 1500 Road between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday to call detectives.

“Our deputies and detectives continue to work diligently to investigate this thoroughly, find the driver involved, and work appropriately through the justice system from there,” police wrote.

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Kansas

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas wrestling coach was charged with creating child sexual abuse materials by secretly recording minors showering during an athletic competition.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Ryan Brungardt of Salina is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Brungardt is a former employee at Lakewood Middle School and former wrestling coach for Salina Central High School.

Brungardt is accused of using a cellphone to record three minors while they showered in a locker room during the Tournament of Champions, a wrestling tournament was held at Newton High in January 2024.

Brungardt made his initial court appearance for the criminal complaint on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks G. Severson.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday

Investigators are in the process of reviewing additional seized cellphone videos in this case that are suspected to have been recorded at wrestling meets in Newton, Hays, Garden City and Salina during the 2023-2024 wrestling season.

Anyone who believes they witnessed crimes or any suspicious activity at these events is asked to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 600-8790 or report at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

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