Man involved in KC crash that injured 10 people faces kidnapping, other charges

A 25-year-old Kansas City man who was involved in a crash that injured 10 people during a police chase Saturday faces kidnapping and other charges.

The Jackson County prosecutor on Sunday charged Hakeem K. Harris with kidnapping, armed criminal action, resisting arrest and driving while revoked.

According to court documents, a female acquaintance of Harris told police that he had assaulted her and held her against her will.

She said that he showed up at her home in the 5500 block of East 39th Street on Saturday afternoon, demanding that she turn over his gun. When she said she didn’t have it, Harris allegedly strangled her to the point where her eyesight became blurred.

Harris allegedly loosened his grip and hit her in the face. Harris then allegedly grabbed her around her neck and strangled her again. Harris got a knife and forced her into her Chevy Impala. He allegedly drove around for a half hour or more, stopping for gas, according to court documents.

Harris took the woman to her mother’s house about 2 p.m. While Harris stayed with the car, the woman went inside and called police, saying he had kept her against her will for approximately two hours. Harris drove away before police arrived.

About 7:15 p.m., police found the woman’s car near Eighth Street and Brighton Avenue. They followed the car to a gas station in the 5400 block of Winner Road. Police activated their emergency lights and ordered him to get out of the car.

Harris allegedly sped off, squealing his tires. Police said he drove south on Hardesty, in oncoming lanes of traffic at times, and ran a red light at 12th Street.

Harris then allegedly ran a red light at Truman Road and collided with a westbound vehicle. A total of four vehicles became involved in the collision, injuring six adults and four children. A 12-year-old boy suffered serious injuries and was ejected from a truck.

Police arrested Harris at the scene. Harris allegedly had a suspended driver’s license and had previously been convicted of robbery and armed criminal action, according to court documents.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 8:33 PM with the headline "Man involved in KC crash that injured 10 people faces kidnapping, other charges."