Hutchinson man gets 2 years in killing of cyclist

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Hutchinson man to two years in prison for intentionally crashing into a bicyclist, who later died.

The Hutchinson News reports District Judge Trish Rose on Friday issued the sentence to 19-year-old Taylor Lukone. The sentence was a departure from a minimum eight-year sentence that prosecutors and defense lawyers had recommended.

Lukone ultimately acknowledged intentionally hitting 51-year-old Jose L. Lopez, as he was riding his bicycle on Sept. 21, 2017. Lopez suffered numerous broken bones and a head injury, and he died 11 days later at a Wichita hospital.

A passenger says Lukone made a U-turn and accelerated as he swerved to hit Lopez.

The judge cited Lukone’s age, lack of a prior criminal record and that he’d admitted to his actions.