Court proceedings have started against a Coffey County man after a fatality crash near Neosho Rapids last year.
Christopher Murphy, 36, of Burlington, has been charged with one count of involuntary vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the death of 50-year-old Kimberly Roney in March 2018. That count has alternate involuntary manslaughter charge. In addition, Murphy is charged with failing to provide proof of insurance, driving while canceled, suspended or revoked and failure to stop at an accident with a reasonably known result of death.
Court records provided to KVOE News show Roney was killed after a wreck in the 1400 block of Kansas Highway 130. Murphy was found about two hours after the crash was discovered, walking on Interstate 35 in Coffey County. Before the wreck, both were at a New Strawn bar before leaving together, according to bar staff. Murphy initially told authorities Roney was driving, but an autopsy had Roney as the passenger and indicated Murphy was driving. Murphy’s blood alcohol content was 0.08 after a check at Newman Regional Health.
Murphy made his first appearance Wednesday in Lyon County District Court. Judge Doug Jones appointed Paul Dean as legal counsel and set bond at $50,000. A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Aug. 28.
