Fiery crash with semitruck near downtown Kansas City injures 4, 2 critically
A fiery crash involving a semitruck injured four people, two critically, late Tuesday near downtown Kansas City, a police spokesman said.
Officers responded to the crash shortly before 11:50 p.m. Tuesday along U.S. 71/Bruce R. Watkins Drive near where it crosses over East 19th Street, said Sgt. Phil DiMartino of the Kansas City Police Department.
A preliminary investigation found that a silver Mercedes S55 was headed north on U.S. 71/Bruce R. Watkins Drive at high speeds when it slammed into the rear of a purple Freightliner semitruck, without a trailer, that was headed north in the second lane from the right, DiMartino said.
The Mercedes caught fire and came to rest in the middle of the highway. The force of the impact caused the semi to spin across the middle and left lanes before coming to rest on the left shoulder.
The driver and front-seat passenger of the Mercedes were taken to hospitals with critical injuries, DiMartino said. The driver was listed in critical condition, while the passenger was in serious, but stable condition.
The driver and passenger in the semi were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, DiMartino said. They were both listed in stable condition.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
