WICHITA, Kansas — A 13-year-old girl died after being horrifically dragged for miles by an ex-con who stole her family’s car as she waited for her parents to pick up food, police said.
Wichita Police say Kevin Palmer, 34, had hopped behind the wheel of the Ford Escape as it idled outside a restaurant with the girl in the back seat.
As Palmer sped off, the girl tried to jump out of the moving car, but got caught in her seatbelt and ended up being dragged alongside the vehicle. Cops say Palmer continued driving for miles as the girl was dragged.
“This is one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my over 28 years of law enforcement,” Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said.
KWCH-TV identified the girl as Brianna Ibarra.
As Palmer kept driving, another motorist spotted what was going on and called 911. When cops closed in, Palmer finally stopped and fled on foot and was quickly arrested.
Palmer, who has had numerous prior felony arrests, has been charged with felony murder.
