On snowy roads, 2 died in crashes in KC region; one hit semi, another struck head-on

Snowy and icy highways in the Kansas City region Monday caused two separate fatal crashes — one involving a semi-tractor trailer and the other a head-on collision.

The Missouri Highway Patrol on Tuesday identified the people who died in the crashes as James A. Copeland, 77, of Archie, Mo., and Kathleen J. Miller, 62, of Windsor, Mo.

Those wrecks were among dozens caused by treacherous road conditions around Kansas City and surrounding counties Monday. The patrol said area troopers responded to at least 175 weather-related incidents, including 86 crashes with at least 10 injuries, in addition to the two deaths.

Copeland died in a crash about 10 a.m. Monday on northbound Interstate 49 near Missouri 291 highway in Harrisonville, Mo. The vehicle he was driving slid off the road and struck a guardrail. When the vehicle returned to the road, it struck a semi-tractor trailer.

Copeland was taken to a hospital, where he died. A 77-year-old female passenger was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the semi was uninjured.

Miller died in a head-on crash about 8:25 a.m. on Missouri 52 highway at Northeast 251 Road, northeast of Clinton, Mo., in Henry County.

She was headed west on Missouri 52 when a driver headed the opposite way lost control on the snow-covered highway and crossed the center of the road. The two vehicles collided nearly head-on. Miller died at a hospital.

The 31-year-old female driver of the other vehicle was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. A five-year-old boy who was a passenger was also injured.

This story was originally published November 13, 2018 at 11:13 AM.