WICHITA, KS — Clowie McLaughlin, 81, of Augusta, pleaded no contest on Friday to two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.
McLaughlin entered the plea before Sedgwick County District Court Judge Sean Hatfield. Ms. McLaughlin pled without a plea agreement from the Office of the District Attorney. The charges were not reduced or amended. Ms. McLaughlin pled no contest to each offense the Office of the District Attorney originally filed.
The charges stem from an August 30, 2025 crash that killed a Wichita mother and daughter, Lashea Bell and A’Niah Bell.
The crash happened around 9:35 p.m. August 30, 2025, at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in Wichita
According to Wichita police, McLaughlin’s black Chevrolet truck collided with a white BMW carrying the Bells and a gray Jeep driven by a 41-year-old man. LaShea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while A’Niah Bell later died at a local hospital. The Jeep driver was treated at the scene and released.
Police said speed and alcohol were believed to have been factors in the collision. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment of her own injuries and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail after being medically cleared. She bonded out of jail the following day after posting a $100,000 bond.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Hatfield.