SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal accident have identified the victim as 69-year-old Joseph Weixelman.
Just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of an injury accident in the parking lot of Ace Hardware at 3110 E. Douglas in Wichita, according to Officer Andrew Ford.
First responders found Weixelman had died after a collision with the iron rod fence near the store's home and garden area.
Preliminary findings indicate that Weixelman attempted to flee in his vehicle after reportedly stealing a $15 air filter from the store, according to Ford.
As he tried to retrieve the item after dropping it, he was partially outside the drivers side door when his vehicle continued moving, ultimately colliding with the fence and pinning him in the door frame.
Store employees discovered him and used a forklift to free him, but despite efforts by Sedgwick County EMS and Wichita Fire to perform CPR, he was pronounced deceased at 10:41 a.m.