Initial reports stated that two men lost their lives at the crash site. However, a recent update from the KCPD revealed that the number of fatalities has risen to three, including at least one minor.
Emergency crews were first called to the scene of a two-car crash at E. 35th Street and Norton Avenue around 5 p.m. on Aug. 13, according to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD).
After a KCPD officer pulled over a blue Kia Soul at the intersection of 31st Street and Cleveland Avenue for a traffic violation, a crash occurred. The officer exited his vehicle, but the Kia quickly accelerated and fled the scene. It’s important to note that the officer did not engage in a pursuit. However, upon running the license plates, the officer discovered that the Kia had been reported as stolen.
The Kia swiftly accelerated after being pulled over, coming closer to a white Chevrolet Tahoe that was also heading in the same direction on eastbound 35th Street. As the Chevrolet reduced its speed to make a left turn onto northbound Norton Avenue, the Kia boldly ventured into the opposing, westbound traffic lane in order to overtake it.
The Kia collided with the Chevrolet as it was making a left turn, resulting in the Chevrolet spinning and coming to a stop facing south on Norton Avenue. The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that were determined to be non-life-threatening.
The Kia veered off the road, colliding with a massive utility pole and causing it to overturn onto its roof. Inside the vehicle were a total of eight individuals:
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- A 16-year-old male driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
- A 37-year-old male front passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
- A female passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital.
- A 20-year-old male passenger sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
- A 4-year-old sitting on the 20-year-old’s lap sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
- A 6-year-old passenger in the middle seat sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
- A 12-year-old in the cargo area sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
- A 13-year-old in the cargo area sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The hospital is still determining the age of the female passenger who tragically lost her life in the accident. Authorities are currently investigating the crash to uncover the cause and any contributing factors.
According to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), there were a total of 59 fatalities from crashes in 2024, which is slightly higher than the 56 fatalities reported at this same time last year.
