Kansas City man is charged in death of grandfather parked on a road

Authorities have accused a 29-year-old man of speeding and being under the influence of drugs when he caused the death of a grandfather whose vehicle was parked along a Platte County roadway.

Anthony J. Battaglia of Kansas City was charged Friday with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance when he allegedly drove more than 80 miles per hour after taking several different prescription drugs.

The fatal two-vehicle accident occurred Feb. 10 on Missouri 152 near Interstate 435 in Parkville. The victim, Donald G. Rippy, was following his grandson on the highway in a separate vehicle when the grandson’s Monte Carlo overheated.

Rippy and the grandson sat inside his 2005 Chevrolet Malibu while they waited for the Monte Carlo’s engine to cool. A GMC Yukon driven by Battaglia allegedly rear-ended the Malibu parked on the highway shoulder.

Rippy was rushed to North Kansas City Hospital, where he died. The grandson was treated for minor injuries.

According to court records, Missouri Highway Patrol officers who contacted Battaglia at the scene said he appeared disoriented and confused when they asked him where he was going. Battaglia was arrested, and investigators later secured a search warrant to obtain a blood sample.

The patrol estimated that Battaglia was traveling 82 mph just before the crash. An analysis of Battaglia’s blood showed it contained amphetamine, alprazolam, carisoprodol, hydroxybupropion and meprobamate, according to court records.

This story was originally published May 2, 2014 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Kansas City man is charged in death of grandfather parked on a road."