Johnson County attorney charged with DWI, manslaughter in fatal Missouri crash
Mission Hills attorney Peter E. Goss is facing a felony drunken driving charge in a wrong-way crash that killed a 65-year-old Lee’s Summit man last September, according to court documents.
Johnson County, Missouri, Prosecuting Attorney Robert W. Russell on Tuesday charged Goss with one count each of driving while intoxicated and causing the death of a person who was not a passenger and first-degree involuntary manslaughter, both felonies. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of driving the wrong way on a divided highway that resulted in a crash.
J.R. Hobbs, the attorney for Goss, said his client appeared, posted bond and has complied with the conditions set by the court.
“Out of respect for the process, he has no further comment to make at this time,” Hobbs said.
Goss posted $5,000, or 10%, of a $50,000 bond on Tuesday. Conditions of the bond include that he is not to operate a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock installed, and he has to wear a device that monitors his alcohol consumption.
Goss faces between five and 15 years on the DWI charge, 3 to 10 years on the involuntary manslaughter charge and up to a year on the misdemeanor charge.
Goss is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. on July 9 at the Johnson County Justice Center in Warrensburg.
Wrong-way driver on eastbound U.S. 50
The charges involve a crash that killed Kevin Ray Wilson shortly before 11 p.m. on Sept. 20 along eastbound U.S. 50 near Missouri Route Z, east of Lone Jack in rural Johnson County, Missouri.
A preliminary crash report indicated that Goss was allegedly driving a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban west in the eastbound lanes when he crashed head-on into a 2023 Subaru Legacy driven by Wilson. Wilson was declared dead at the scene, and Goss was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
According to the probable cause statement supporting the charges, Johnson County dispatchers advised law enforcement officers of a reported driver headed west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 50 at Missouri 131 about 10:52 p.m. on Sept. 20. Three minutes later, dispatchers advised that two vehicles had crashed near Route Z.
Upon arriving on the scene, a trooper reported that the Chevrolet was on its passenger’s side facing south in the left lane of eastbound U.S. 50. The Subaru was facing southwest in the right lane of eastbound U.S. 50.
The trooper reported that a Johnson County ambulance crew was attempting to contact Goss, who was trapped in the Chevrolet. The trooper noted that upon viewing the Subaru, it was apparent the driver was deceased, according to court documents.
Strong odor of ‘intoxicants’
Goss was removed from the Chevrolet and placed in the back of an ambulance. Another trooper contacted Goss, and he allegedly consented to a preliminary breath test.
The result allegedly showed his blood alcohol content was 0.16% — the legal limit in Missouri is .08%. The court document noted that the result was from a partial sample of his breath.
The first trooper went into the back of the ambulance with Goss and noticed a strong odor of “intoxicants” allegedly coming from Goss. The trooper also noted Goss had bloodshot eyes.
“Based on the totality of the circumstances, it was apparent Goss’ ability to safely operate a motor vehicle was impaired,” the trooper noted in the probable cause statement.
The trooper placed Goss under arrest at 11:50 p.m., and Goss responded, “Alright.” The trooper noted that he could smell the odor of intoxicants on Goss’ breath when he spoke, according to court documents.
Goss was taken to a Kansas City area hospital. At the hospital, Goss allegedly declined to submit to a blood test shortly before 1 a.m. The trooper obtained a warrant, and a blood sample was taken about 4 a.m. and submitted to the highway patrol’s crime laboratory for blood alcohol analysis.
The crash investigation revealed that moments before the collision, Wilson applied the brakes and steered left to avoid the Chevrolet. The front left bumper of the Chevrolet collided with the front left bumper of the Subaru. There was no evidence that the Chevrolet attempted to slow or avoid the crash, according to court documents.
Settled wrongful death claims
In December, Wilson’s children filed a petition in Johnson County Circuit Court seeking approval for a wrongful death settlement against Goss.
Under the agreement, which was approved in January, Goss’ insurer agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle the wrongful death claims against Gross. The amount represented the policy’s limits.
Wilson’s son, Arron Wilson, and daughter, Olivia Wilson, each received $843,750, according to court documents. The remaining $562,500 went to cover their attorney fees.
