Woman identified as member of litter crew killed in eastern Jackson County crash
The woman killed when she was struck by a pickup truck while collecting trash along U.S. 50 near Lee’s Summit was a member of the Community Services League’s roadside litter crews, the nonprofit organization said in a tribute on Facebook.
The woman was identified as 57-year-old Beverlie Allen.
The crash occurred shortly before 9 a.m. May 4 along eastbound U.S. 50 near Smart Road, east of Lee’s Summit, according to a preliminary crash report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Allen was killed when she stepped into the path of a 2024 Ram 3500 and was struck by the truck’s passenger side mirror, according to the highway patrol. She died at the scene. The 27-year-old driver from Independence was not injured.
“Beverlie is remembered fondly by all her CSL colleagues, and especially by the members of our roadside litter crews that work every day in Jackson County to beautify our community,” the organization said in the tribute.
Beverlie Allen
The organization first met Allen in January 2025 while she was living outdoors in a camp. An outreach worker helped Allen chart a course back into permanent housing, helping to rehouse 10 cats from the encampment.
“Beverlie, in her caring spirit, wanted to make sure her cats were cared for and wouldn’t dream of abandoning them,” the tribute said. She also helped a local veteran who became unhoused and moved into the camp by making sure he had the tools and equipment to survive the outdoors.
Allen started with the roadside litter crew nearly a year ago, which fit her interests because she had helped pick up trash her whole life, CSL said. She also had an interest in recycling and repurposing items.
Allen also enjoyed working at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. She is survived by her mother, four siblings, four children, and many grandchildren.
