Vehicle runs off-road, critically injures man mowing grass at Johnson County church
A man was critically injured when a vehicle ran off the road and struck him while he was mowing the lawn at a church in Fairway, police said.
Officers responded around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday to a reported crash near Shawnee Mission Parkway and State Park Road. A preliminary investigation indicates that the crash happened as a vehicle was driving east on Shawnee Mission Parkway, according to Police Chief J.P. Thurlo.
The vehicle drove off the road near State Park Road and struck a man who was using a riding lawn mower at Old Mission United Methodist Church, Thurlo said.
Paramedics responded and transported the man to a hospital with critical injuries. As of Thursday morning, he was receiving treatment but still critical, Thurlo said.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Thurlo said it’s still unclear what led the vehicle to drive off the road. The driver remained at the scene of the crash and has cooperated with the investigation.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured.
Thurlo said there have not been any charges filed related to the crash as of Thursday morning. The driver was not taken into custody, he said.
Police blocked off part of the intersection near Shawnee Mission Parkway and State Park Road as they secured the scene for an investigation. The road has since reopened.
Emily Jane Eichman, a pastor at Old Mission United Methodist Church, said they were heartbroken to hear about the crash.
Eichman said that while the church doesn’t want to publicize information about the man who was hurt, they appreciate the community’s support.
“We appreciate the community’s prayers,” Eichman said.
This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 1:05 PM.
