TOPEKA (KSNT) - New details are coming to light after a homeless man was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in north Topeka earlier this month.
27 News obtained documents from the Topeka Police Department (TPD) on Dec. 30 with new information regarding the investigation into 31-year-old Dalton K. Thomas' death. He was found in the middle of a street in north Topeka in December suffering from life-threatening injuries. His death prompted police to begin a suspicious death investigation which later was declared to be a hit-and-run.
The TPD crash report on Thomas' death references video footage obtained by police which allegedly shows a white truck driving east on Northwest Elm Row Avenue around 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 13. Thomas can be seen crossing the street as he walks south across the avenue.
Thomas is hit by the truck in the middle of Northwest Elm Row Avenue, which pushes him to the ground. The truck can be seen continuing eastbound on the avenue without stopping to help Thomas.
Police note the truck returned to the area a short time later driving west on Northwest Elm Row Avenue. The truck passes by Thomas again without stopping and exits the area being captured on video.
27 News requested still shots and video of the incident from the TPD but was initially denied. Police said to file a request under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) which 27 News has completed.
The TPD was called around 6:45 a.m. on Dec. 13 to the area of Northwest Topeka Boulevard and Northwest Elm Row on reports of a person lying in the road. Officers arriving in the area found a man, later identified as Thomas, lying in the street severely injured. He died a short time later due to his wounds.
Police identified Thomas, a local homeless man, as the victim of the incident on Dec. 19. Law enforcement also declared his death was under investigation as a hit-and-run instead of just a suspicious death.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the TPD by sending an email to telltpd@topeka.org or call 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online.
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