William Ray Klingler, Lawrence, Kansas man arrested in fatal hit and run of pre-med student killed while running.
Officials have arrested a repeat DUI driver in the fatal hit and run of a Kansas college student as she went running last week only to be struck and left for dead.
William Ray Klingler, 36, a local Lawrence, Kansas man with a long history of drunk driving arrests was on Sunday taken into custody in the hit and run murder of 20-year-old University of Kansas pre-med student, Elsa McGrain.
Suspect DUI driver had anti-alcohol devices installed in vehicle
The man’s arrest follows deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office locating the wanted DUI driver’s vehicle and taken him into custody on Sunday according to a previous news release.
Klinger has since been charged with reckless involuntary homicide, KCBD reported.
Of note, authorities stated Klinger had a circumvention of anti-alcohol devices in his truck, to keep him from getting behind the wheel when above a certain blood alcohol level. Nevertheless the repeat drunk driver managed to start the vehicle and get back on the road only for fatal consequences to occur.
Surveillance tape revealed the pre-med student being struck while jogging near the Lawrence Regional Airport around 6 p.m. Thursday. It wasn’t until another 9 and half hours a passerby came across the body of the ‘left for dead’ woman, just on 3:35 a.m, Friday morning according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Court records show Klingler previously arrested on at least two prior DUIs, along with trying to disable his vehicle’s ignition interlock and tampering with ankle monitors.
Suspect prior criminal history
The interlock is a breathalyzer that certain drivers must use before starting the car.
As a juvenile in 2003, Klingler was charged with several crimes, including burglary, criminal damage to property and theft. He was placed under intensive supervision probation for those alleged crimes.
According to the McGrain family, the pre-med student at the University of Kansas was set to graduate in 2026.
Kansas Chi Omega, a KU sorority, posted on Instagram saying McGrain was a beloved sister who served as house manager, leading with ‘grace, compassion, and a servant’s heart.’
A Fundraiser to assist the McGrain Family with funeral expenses has since been started, with donors asked to give here.
