Resident urges firing after April 18 police crash, cites policy and injuries

Monica Marx, a District 1 resident, told the Wichita City Council that a Wichita police officer’s high-speed response on April 18 caused a “horrific” crash near Hillside and Douglas that left at least one person with a broken arm and a vehicle heavily intruded upon. “I will call for him to be fired,” Marx said during public comment, citing department policy that officers slow below 15 mph before entering intersections against a red light and the criminal definition of reckless driving.

Council members did not engage in a question-and-answer during public comment; the clerk noted the council’s public‑comment rules that the period is not a dialogue. Marx urged the council to act publicly to restore trust, arguing that firing the officer would better reflect on the city even if lawsuits followed.

The nut graf: Marx framed her request as a public‑health and public‑safety imperative, asking the council to hold the department accountable for what she called “blatant disregard of public safety.” Her account included vehicle intrusion measurements and a description of being four city blocks from the crash site.

The body: Marx referenced Wichita Police Department guidance on clearing intersections and read the department’s definition of reckless driving aloud. She said initial media reports suggested the officer may have been driving well over normal speeds; she also described prior incidents and raised a concern about the number of officers responding to related calls. The council did not announce any personnel actions during the meeting, and no formal motion or investigation timeline was presented in the meeting record.

The council’s public‑comment rules were reiterated by staff: items raised during public comment are typically referred to the city manager for follow‑up rather than acted on immediately by the council. The meeting record does not show a staff report, formal complaint filing, or an immediate motion tied to Marx’s remarks.

What happens next: Marx’s allegations are a public complaint; under council procedure, the item may be referred to the city manager or the police department for investigation or a personnel review. The meeting did not include a staff response or timetable for review. The council proceeded with its agenda after public comment.

Ending: The council took no immediate formal action in open session on the complaint; community members who raised this issue should expect follow‑up through the city manager’s office or police department procedures rather than an immediate council vote.