Shawnee Heights Freshman Joshua Solis Killed in Topeka Hit-and-Run Crash

Topeka is mourning Joshua Solis, a loss felt locally, a 14-year-old freshman at Shawnee Heights High School who died after being struck by a vehicle near Lake Shawnee. The crash happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. September 23, 2026, in the 2200 block of S.E. 37th Street. According to Topeka Police, Joshua was a pedestrian when he was hit. The vehicle left the scene, and Joshua was confirmed dead at the location. Investigators closed the roadway as they worked to establish what happened.

Joshua was later identified by his family as the teenager killed in the collision. His death has brought grief to relatives, classmates, teachers, and others connected to the Shawnee Heights community. At 14, he was still near the beginning of his high school years, with much of life still ahead. A sudden loss at such a young age can be difficult to comprehend because a child’s future can change in an instant.

Joshua’s loved ones are remembering him for qualities that reached beyond the circumstances of his death. He loved soccer, had an infectious smile, and enjoyed making people happy. Those descriptions offer a glimpse of the teenager known by his family and friends. They point to a young person whose presence was felt through everyday interactions, laughter, and the ability to bring happiness to others. Such memories can matter deeply as a family copes with sudden absence.

The loss may also be felt throughout Shawnee Heights High School, where Joshua was beginning his freshman year. For classmates, the tragedy can make familiar hallways, conversations, and school routines feel different. Teachers and school leaders may also be supporting students as they process grief. There is no single way for young people to respond to the death of someone their age. Remembering Joshua as a student, friend, and soccer fan keeps the focus on his life rather than only on the crash.

Police also reported an arrest in connection with the incident. Noah J. Metz, 27, of Topeka, was booked on reported allegations of failure to stop at an accident resulting in death and felony interference with law enforcement. The reported charges reflect booking information, and formal charges had not yet been filed at the time of the provided report. The investigation remains part of the effort to establish the circumstances surrounding Joshua’s death.

For Joshua’s family, the coming days may bring the difficult contrast between mourning and life continuing around them. There will be memories of soccer, his smile, conversations, and the happiness he brought to others. There will also be milestones he will not be present to share. Grief after a sudden death can be complicated, particularly when a young person is taken unexpectedly. Support from relatives, friends, classmates, educators, and neighbors can provide comfort as those closest to him adjust.

Joshua Solis leaves behind a community that will remember him as more than a name connected to a tragic crash. He was a 14-year-old boy, a Shawnee Heights freshman, a soccer lover, whose smile and desire to make others happy mattered to those around him. As his loved ones mourn, remembering those parts of Joshua’s life can help preserve the person behind the news. His family, friends, classmates, and teachers deserve compassion and privacy as they navigate the loss of a young life.