Share this post or save for later
Post updated at 1:03 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8; photos updated at 1:21 p.m.:
The runner who was struck and killed by a vehicle Thursday evening north of Lawrence was Elsa McGrain, 20, a University of Kansas student from Omaha.
Deputies were still looking for the driver who struck her as of Saturday afternoon.
McGrain, a Lawrence resident, was studying premedicine and would have graduated next year, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our hearts go out to Elsa’s family and friends in this incredibly tragic situation,” DGSO said in a news release Saturday afternoon.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
McGrain was running in the 1700 block of East 1500 Road around 6 p.m. Thursday when she was struck by a vehicle.
A passerby called dispatch around 3:35 a.m. Friday saying they had found a person near the road.
Detectives have determined the vehicle of interest is a truck that is all white with no side markings, according to George Diepenbrock, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
“Our deputies and detectives continue to work diligently to investigate this thoroughly, find the driver involved and work appropriately through the justice system from there,” DGSO said in the release.
“DGSO continues to ask anyone who might have information about the vehicle in the photo or been in the area on E 1500 Road between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday and has potential information to call DGSO Detective Lance Flachsbarth, 785-393-5845, or Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477), and leave your contact information.”
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the driver of a white truck deputies believe struck and killed runner Elsa McGrain on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. This was the first photo of the truck that deputies released on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Contributed photo)
DGSO released this second photo of the truck of interest in Elsa McGrain’s death on Nov. 8, 2025. (Contributed photo)
If local news matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.
Don’t miss a beat — get the latest news from the Times delivered to your inbox:
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
Latest Lawrence news:
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Share this post or save for later
Business owners along Ninth Street near downtown Lawrence are concerned they could face devastating losses and possibly even closures as city construction work will soon close the arterial street that’s key to their livelihoods for several months.
Share this post or save for later
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider appointing to a vacant board seat the fourth-place candidate who marginally loses the Nov. 7 election — likely incumbent Bob Byers.
Share this post or save for later
A 20-year-old Lawrence woman was struck by a vehicle and killed just north of Lawrence Thursday evening, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public’s help to identify the driver.