Passenger dies after car hits a sign on Bannister Road in Kansas City

A 43-yearold Kansas City woman died after the vehicle in which she was riding struck the base of a highway sign Friday afternoon on Bannister road near Interstate 435.

The wreck occurred about 1:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes of Bannister. The driver’s injuries were considered serious, but not life-threatening, police said.

Witnesses told police the driver apparently had been speeding and passing other vehicles before he lost control. The car slid sideways and slammed passenger-side first into the sign’s concrete base. Firefighters cut apart the crumpled wreckage to reach the passenger.

Police closed Bannister’s westbound lanes to investigate. Detectives said they were investigating whether impairment played a role in the wreck.

Christine Vendel, cvendel@kcstar.com

This story was originally published May 23, 2014 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Passenger dies after car hits a sign on Bannister Road in Kansas City."