Topeka man sentenced for Christmas Day crash that killed friend

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Topeka man was sentenced Thursday following a fatal crash in the capital on Christmas Day last year that left one person dead.

Shawnee County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Katie Garceran told 27 News in a written statement that Judge Cox was sentenced to 46 months in prison and 24 months of post-release supervision on Thursday, June 13 for his role in a fatal accident in 2023. resulted in the death of 23-year-old Brett Joynt.

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) responded to the crash at 2:15 a.m. on December 25, 2023 in the 100 block of SE 37th Street. The driver of a vehicle was heading west on SE 37th Street when the vehicle left the road, struck a utility pole and came to rest in a nearby yard.

One person was reportedly killed in the accident while two others were injured, but their lives are not believed to be in danger. The crash victim was later identified as Cox's friend Joynt.

Cox was arrested on May 2, 2023, in connection with the crash on numerous charges, including first-degree murder and reckless driving. He was charged by the Shawnee County Prosecutor's Office on May 10, 2023.

For more crime news, click here. Stay up to date with the latest news in Northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter):