Charges filed in wreck that killed Independence teen

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Jackson County authorities today charged a Blue Springs resident with involuntary manslaughter for his role in a traffic crash that killed a 16-year-old girl.

Kenneth Scott Blake II, 19, is accused of operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of at least 0.18, or more than twice the legal limit. Blake is being held on $75,000 cash only bond.

Laura Beth Reynolds of Independence was killed and three other people injured in the two-car crash about 11:36 p.m. near U.S. 24 and Davis Road in eastern Independence, authorities said.

According to authorities, a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Blake was heading west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24 when it struck an eastbound 1995 Plymouth Neon.

The Neon’s driver, a 17-year-old Independence girl, and a 15-year-old Buckner girl who was a passenger were taken to hospitals with injuries. Reynolds, also a passenger in the Neon, died at the scene.

Blake was taken to a hospital and later arrested, police said. Although Blake has been charged, the crash remains under investigation.

| Glenn E. Rice, grice@kcstar.com

Posted on Mon, Nov. 02, 2009 04:57 PM

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