A Geuda Springs man has been sent to five years in prison in the death of Wellington teenager.
Patrick Ryan Burr, 20, was sentenced to five years in prison with three years of post-release supervision after pleading no contest to the charge of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence.
Brayden Popplewell, 19, of Wellington, was killed on Oct. 3, 2009 after a 2007 Dodge pickup truck driven by Burr failed to yield at a stop sign near 40th Street South and Oliver.
Burr was traveling westbound when he failed to yield to another driver going southbound on Oliver Road.
The other vehicle, a 2000 Mercury four-door passenger car slammed into the pickup, unable to stop in time, Sumner County deputies said.
Popplewell died at the scene.
As they have done at every hearing in the case, family and friends of Popplewell made their presence know, wearing bright pink shirts and filling the seats in the courtroom. Burr also had many family members present for the hearing.
After Burr’s defense attorney Rod Iverson requested a downward departure for his client that was later denied, the court heard from Laura Popplewell, Brayden’s mother.
With a shaking voice, Popplewell told the court how the loss of her daughter had affected her life.
“I cannot express how I feel about the loss of Brayden. She brought such joy to our lives,” Popplewell said.
“When I think about the accident I feel nauseous knowing that my daughter’s life was in the hands of a total stranger... Although he was the one responsible for the passengers in the vehicle, I do hold Brayden responsible too. She should have know better,” she continued.
Brayden was going to school to be a teacher and was hoping to help children. Those hopes and dreams have been dashed, Popplewell said.
“It will not be the same without her. We will never see what she could have accomplished. We will never see her married and never see her as a mother,” she said.
Popplewell asked the court to send Burr to prison, given his previous DUI charges in Cowley County, of which he is still awaiting trial on.
Burr moved his hands, which were still in chains, to his face, wiping tears from his eyes as Popplewell spoke. Both families were in tears during the statement.
Iverson said his client was remorseful for his actions and Burr expressed his sympathy to the family, turning to face them and speak directly to those he impacted most.
“This was a very tragic accident. We were all in the wrong and Brayden ended up paying the price. I’ve very sorry. I did something I have to live with and I know there is nothing I can ever do or say that will ever make this right. I’m sorry.” Burr said.
Laura and Zach Popplewell, Brayden’s parents, nodded to Burr after his statement.
Holding a blanket full of pictures of her best friend, Darien Sisson was in tears after the sentencing. Choking back tears, Sisson explained what life has been like without Brayden.
“Empty. She was my ray of sunshine. She always wanted everyone to laugh and have a great time,” said Sisson.
Sisson is comforted knowing Brayden is with her brother, who also died in an alcohol-related wreck last year.
“It’s helped a lot,” said Sisson, who has spent a lot of time with the Popplewell family.
“I don’t think it’s long enough for taking someone’s life, but I understand there is a limit on how long he can be there,” Sisson said.
Laura Popplewell echoed the teen’s comments.
“I’d wanted a sentence ... and I wanted prison time ... some time behind bars. Five years doesn’t seem like a lot for a life and ... in five years he can get out and live his life like he chooses and it doesn’t look like he’s gone down a good road so far and that’s something Brayden can’t do,” Popplewell said.
She is hoping Burr learns from his sentence and that time in prison is a benefit to turn his life around. She also says she feels for Burr’s family as well.
“I do feel for them. I feel like they’ve been through a lot also and I can only imagine if it was my child. I mean, I would be devastated,” she said.
Next week would have marked Brayden’s 20th birthday, but instead of celebrating with her, the occasion will be marked with memories of the bubbly blonde teen.
“We’ll have a big dinner and cake,” Popplewell said. “She would have liked that. She always wanted everybody together and she loved to eat. So we will make some of her favorite things to eat and have friends and family over and celebrate her birthday.”
Wellington, Kan. —
