Kansas City, Missouri – A devastating car crash on August 13, 2024, has claimed the lives of three individuals, including 16-year-old Donelle Morris, 37-year-old Reginald K. Smith, and 32-year-old Myesha S. Gentry. The tragic incident occurred at the intersection of E. 35th Street and Norton Avenue when a stolen Kia Soul, driven by a 16-year-old, attempted to flee from a traffic stop.
According to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD), the Kia Soul was speeding away from the authorities when it tried to overtake another vehicle by crossing into the lane of oncoming traffic. However, the vehicle ahead made a left turn, leading to a collision. The impact caused the Kia to strike a utility pole and flip over, resulting in the deaths of Morris and Smith at the scene. Gentry, who was seated in the back, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The crash left five other passengers, including four minors, with serious injuries. The injured include a 12-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 4-year-old who was sitting on a 20-year-old’s lap. Their identities have not been released, but they are expected to survive.
The incident is under investigation as authorities seek to understand the circumstances that led to so many individuals being in the stolen vehicle. The community is mourning the loss of these lives in what has become a tragic example of the dangers associated with such reckless behavior.