In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has left Wichita reeling, a deadly three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Central and Webb Roads claimed the lives of 42-year-old Lashea Bell and her 25-year-old daughter, Aniah Bell, on the night of August 30, 2025. The inseparable mother and daughter, cherished for their inspiring bond, were taken too soon in a crash that police say was fueled by speed and alcohol, leaving a community to mourn and seek justice.
The collision occurred at approximately 9:35 p.m., when 80-year-old McLaughlin Clowie Ann of Augusta, driving a black Chevrolet truck eastbound on Central, slammed into a white BMW carrying Lashea and Aniah, who were traveling south on Webb alongside a gray Jeep SUV. The impact was devastating. Lashea was pronounced dead at the scene, her life extinguished in an instant. Aniah, clinging to life, was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after, deepening the tragedy for their family and friends.
The driver of the Jeep, a 41-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Ann, the driver of the truck, was hospitalized following the crash but was taken into custody after being medically cleared. She now faces two counts of second-degree homicide and has been booked into the Sedgwick County Jail, with the case set to be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.
Preliminary investigations point to speed and alcohol as key factors in the crash, a preventable catastrophe that has sparked outrage and sorrow. “This was a preventable tragedy that cost two innocent women their lives,” a Wichita Police Department spokesperson declared, vowing to pursue accountability and justice for the Bell family.
Lashea and Aniah were more than just victims; they were the heart of their community. Described as inseparable, their bond was a source of inspiration to those who knew them. Lashea, a devoted mother, and Aniah, her beloved daughter, shared a connection that touched everyone around them. In the days following the crash, the intersection of Central and Webb has transformed into a poignant memorial, adorned with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes from neighbors and loved ones. Each tribute stands as a testament to the profound loss felt across Wichita, where the community grieves not just the loss of two lives, but the shattering of an extraordinary bond.
As the investigation continues, the Wichita Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and justice, ensuring that the memory of Lashea and Aniah Bell endures through the pursuit of accountability for this heartbreaking loss.