KU community mourns loss of student killed in North Lawrence Hit-and-Run

The University of Kansas community is grieving after a tragic hit-and-run accident claimed the life of 20-year-old Elsa McGrain, a KU student, last Thursday evening in North Lawrence.

McGrain, a Chi Omega sorority member and pre-med major with dreams of becoming a nurse, is being remembered by friends and classmates as kind, genuine and full of light.

“It was definitely the worst day of my entire life, as I bet it was for most of us,” one of McGrain’s roommates said.

“I still feel like I see her all the time. I’ll be going downstairs and feel like I’ll see her for a moment,” another stated.

According to police, McGrain had gone out for her usual evening run on Friday, Nov. 7, when she was struck by a vehicle and killed. The driver, 36-year-old William Ray Klingler, was later arrested and charged in connection with her death.

Court records show Klingler has a long history of reckless driving, including four previous driving under the influence charges, and had recently tampered with his interlock device while carrying an open container. He also had multiple warrants issued for his arrest after failing to appear in court for a 2024 charge.

Many in the community are now asking how Klingler was still allowed to be behind the wheel.

Klingler was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday afternoon. If convicted, he faces between 38 and 172 months in prison, the equivalent of roughly three to 14 years behind bars.

While the loss has devastated McGrain’s friends and roommates, they say the outpouring of love from the KU and Lawrence communities has brought some comfort.

“The support was insane,” one roommate said. “We’ve had people coming in and out of our house since Elsa passed. It’s unimaginable how much love we’ve gotten, even from people we don’t know.”

A memorial service held Sunday evening drew over 200 attendees. Her friends say she’ll be remembered for her deep faith, her warm hugs, and her love of pickleball.