Grandview man allegedly fled police, caused wreck that critically injured 9-year-old

Prosecutors on Thursday charged a Grandview man with multiple felonies in connection with a car wreck Wednesday that seriously injured a 9-year-old boy.

Kaveon C. Cottonham, 18, is charged with four counts of second-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident when he allegedly fled from a Kansas City police officer in the 5500 block of Woodland Avenue.

According to court records:

A witness told investigators that Cottonham saw the patrol car traveling behind him and then to his side with its emergency lights and siren activated and apparently panicked. Cottonham thought the patrol officer was attempting to pull him over but the officer was on his way to a service call.

Cottonham sped in front of the patrol officer but crashed his car into a 2007 Hyundai Sonata at 51st Street and Woodland Avenue. Cottonham jumped out of the wreck car and ran. The officer whom Cottonham sped past arrived at the crash scene moments later.

Cottonham was arrested after a short foot chase. People inside the Hyundai Sonata were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. One of the victims, a 9-year-old boy, sustained a life-threatening injury.

A witness said she heard the crash and saw two men, both armed with guns, run from the wreckage.

Cottonham later told investigators he was not involved in the accident. A computer check showed that Cottonham did not have a valid driver’s license.

Prosecutors requested that bond be set at $150,000.

This story was originally published July 13, 2017 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Grandview man allegedly fled police, caused wreck that critically injured 9-year-old."