SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman is going to prison for a fatal DUI crash that killed a 71-year-old Kansas man.
Sedgwick County District Court Judge Eric Williams sentenced 44-year-old Valerie Palace to 77 months in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, following her conviction on charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery while driving under the influence, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Judge Williams ordered the sentences on each count to run consecutively (back-to-back) and imposed an additional 36 months of post-release supervision.
Valerie Palace was charged after an October 2023 crash at 13th and Greenwich in Wichita killed 71-year-old Billy Wineinger. Traffic lights were out when Wineinger’s vehicle collided with another. He got out to check the damage and was hit by an SUV driven by Palace, according to Wichita Police.
A Sedgwick County jury found her guilty as charged on April 27, 2026.
"The Office of the District Attorney appreciates the Court's rulings today, affirming the jury's verdict and imposing a sentence that is consistent with the harm suffered by the victims and their families," said Aaron Breitenbach, Deputy District Attorney.