KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former Kansas City, Missouri, police officer will serve four months in jail and three years of probation after a deadly crash in 2018.
Terrell Watkins was sentenced Tuesday for his role in the crash that killed 17-year-old Chandan Rajanna, a Shawnee Mission South student.
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2019, on Interstate 435 near Arrowhead Stadium.
Rajanna’s car was stopped in traffic heading to a Chiefs game when Watkins crashed into the back of it in a KCPD van.
The investigation later showed Watkins, off-duty at the time, was running late to work security at the game and was on his phone before the crash.
Two other passengers were injured. Watkins’ injuries were not life-threatening.
Watkins pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of assault and careless and imprudent driving in a plea agreement with the state, according to court documents.
Watkins’ sentence of 17 consecutive years for the manslaughter and first count of assault was suspended under the plea agreement, and he will instead serve three years of probation for the crimes.
For the second count of assault and the careless and imprudent driving charge, Watkins received a 120-day sentence each, to be served concurrently at the Caldwell County Jail.
Watkins must also incur any costs associated with his incarceration.
According to the court documents, the victims and immediate family of victims in the crash agreed with the terms of the plea deal.
