Topeka man charged in wrong-way crash that killed 3 people on I-29 in Platte County
A 34-year-old Topeka man, who was allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 29, is facing manslaughter charges in the head-on, hit-and-run crash that killed three people and injured three others in Platte County.
Kyle Anthony Waymon Mendez has been charged with three counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of the crash that resulted in a death, all felonies, according to a news release from Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd.
The crash early Thursday killed 55-year-old Joel Similien, 54-year-old Sheyla Similien and 52-year-old Michelet Metellus, all of Kansas City. The collision also injured three other passengers, ranging from 33 to 54 years old. Another passenger was not injured.
According to court documents and a preliminary crash report by the Missouri Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after 12:10 a.m. Thursday on southbound I-29 near Dearborn, Missouri.
At the time of the crash, Joel Similien was driving south on I-29 in a 2007 Honda Odyssey mini-van with six passengers. Meanwhile, according to the report, Mendez was headed north in the southbound lanes.
What happened in the crash
A witness had called the highway patrol, reporting that a vehicle had crossed the median near Mile Marker 29 and began traveling north in the southbound lanes, according to court documents.
Mendez crashed head-on into the mini-van, sending it off the right side of the highway and into a concrete barrier, according to the report. The crash occurred near Mile Marker 29.4 on the bridge over Bee Creek, according to the crash report.
After the crash, Mendez ran away on foot from the crash scene, according to court documents.
A highway patrol trooper responding to the scene noted that both vehicles had significant damages. The deceased were pronounced dead at the scene, and the injured were taken to hospitals.
The highway patrol asked Kansas City, Kansas, police to contact the registered owners of the Edge to find out who was driving the vehicle. The owners told police that their grandson, Mendez, had taken the Edge without their permission on Wednesday and had not returned it.
The search for a driver on the run
Authorities searched for Mendez using a drone and police dog but were unsuccessful.
Shortly after 8 a.m. Friday, Platte County Sheriff deputies, who were using a drone, reported they had found Mendez in a bean field just south of Missouri Route H and I-29. Mendez was using a stick to hold himself up.
Mendez was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. While at the hospital, he allegedly admitted that he was driving the Edge and had been involved in the crash.
Mendez told a trooper he was traveling north to St. Joseph, Missouri, to meet a couple. While on his way, he decided not to go. He turned into the median and began driving north in the southbound lanes.
Mendez said he thought he was on a two-lane road, and when he saw vehicles traveling at him, he didn’t understand why. He realized he was traveling the wrong way on the highway just before the crash.
Mendez said he checked on the people in the minivan before running from the scene. According to court documents, he told a trooper he ran because he didn’t think anyone would believe him.
Mendez remains in custody and was ordered to be held without bond. No court dates have been set.
