Driver sentenced in traffic death of motorcyclist - Topeka Capital Journal

21 traffic death of motorcyclist Michael A. Munoz, 53, of Topeka, was sentenced Friday to prison. Shawnee County District Court Judge Nancy Parrish sentenced David Michael Bowers, 31, to 52 months in a correctional facility for one count of involuntary manslaughter and 32 months for one count of leaving the scene of an accident. Parrish also ordered Bowers to pay restitution of $12,334 to Gloria Munoz, the victim’s wife, and the victim’s insurance company and $171 in court costs, as well as other associated costs. Bowers told Topeka police that he and his girlfriend were en route to a house at 216 S. E. Lake to watch a ballgame on Oct. 21 when he saw the taillight of the Munoz motorcycle and struck the cycle from behind, causing Munoz to be ejected, assistant Shawnee County district attorney Dan Dunbar said at an April 29 plea hearing. Bowers was driving about 100 mph when he struck the motorcycle. Earlier in the case, Topeka police said Bowers was driving a 2004 Cadillac DeVille when it struck the back of Munoz’s 1999 Harley-Davidson motorcycle ridden at 6:54 p. m. on Oct. Munoz was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:04 p. m. Before Parrish announced the sentences, Greg Munoz addressed the court and showed Bowers and the judge a photograph of Michael Munoz, his brother. He told Bowers that his brother was a loving man who liked to cook and work on his car, and by showing Bowers the photo, he hoped Bowers would “know and remember who he was. Source: cjonline.com