Man struck by Freightliner near Kauffman Stadium attempted to jump on truck, police say

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A man died Friday after apparently trying to jump aboard a tractor-trailer truck on Interstate 70 near Kauffman Stadium, according to a news release from Kansas City Police Sgt. Phillip DiMartino.

A white Freightliner eastbound on Interstate 70 near Blue Ridge Cutoff was changing lanes when a man in a black GMC Sierra pickup left his vehicle, according to the news release.

The pickup’s driver then attempted to enter the cab of the Freightliner, according to the release. The Freightliner’s driver began to slowly pull forward and the pickup driver began to run alongside the truck, according to the release.

The pickup’s driver then tried to jump on the trailer, pulling a retention strap as the trailer was moving, before losing his grip and falling onto the roadway, according to the news release.

Before the Freightliner could come to a stop, the rear axle of the trailer ran over the man, according to the release. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release. The driver of the Freightliner was uninjured. Neither man’s name had been released as of Friday night.

The pedestrian’s death marks the 32nd traffic fatality of the year in Kansas City, compared with 47 at this time last year.