Kansas mother fights for justice after daughter’s death in head-on collision with drunk driver

JEFFERSON COUNTY (KSNT) – The family of a Kansas Air National Guard pilot killed in a drunk driving crash in 2022 is trying to find peace this year after the tragedy.

27 News follows the trial of Manuel Enriquez, 36, of Kansas City, who is accused of killing 23-year-old Cheyenne Branson in a crash in Jefferson County on Nov. 12, 2022. Branson’s mother also gives her opinion on the case and what it has done to her after the death of her only child.

Enriquez was driving a Chevy Silverado east on U.S. Highway 24, just west of Third Street in Jefferson County, when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a Chevy Cruze driven by Cheyanne head-on, the Kansas Highway Patrol said. Branson was pronounced dead at the scene, while Enriquez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and second-degree murder; unintentional but reckless by the sheriff’s office.

Branson was a career development specialist with the 190th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard. She held the rank of staff sergeant at the time of her death.

Enriquez was later arraigned in Jefferson County and pleaded not guilty in August 2023 to second-degree murder and driving under the influence, according to court records. He was found guilty on both charges on July 25, 2024.

Christina Branson, Cheyanne’s mother, said Enriquez’s conviction left her with mixed emotions. While she was happy to know Enriquez is guilty of her daughter’s death, she also said it was ultimately bittersweet because it won’t change the past.

“It was dragged out in court for so long and I felt like I couldn’t get closure for her,” Christina said. “I refused a plea deal, I wanted it to go to court.”

Cheyanne’s friends and family spoke to 27 News in late 2023 as they worked to honor her memory with a roadside memorial. Christina said she has continued to fight to keep her daughter’s legacy alive by following the trial to its conclusion and plans to gather a group of friends and family to attend Enriquez’s sentencing on August 22, 2024.

“I was a little angry because he (Enriquez) showed no emotion, no remorse,” Christina said. “It didn’t seem to affect him.”

Christina hopes that penalties for accidents involving drunk driving will be tougher so that these types of situations can be prevented in the future.

“Not only did he kill my daughter, he destroyed his family,” Christina said. “I was just glad I could keep fighting and not give up.”

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