Fleeing driver dies in wrong-way crash on I-29

A driver in a stolen pickup died Wednesday in a head-on collision while going the wrong way on Interstate 29 in the Northland after leading authorities on a high-speed chase.

The driver of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries in the wreck.

Authorities are not releasing the deceased driver’s name until relatives are notified. He died at the scene. Officials said he had a suspended Missouri driver’s license.

When the pickup was reported stolen, authorities also received word that firearms had been taken, said Sgt. Jerin Almond with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators have not determined if a residential break-in occurred, Almond said.

Deputies responding to a call about a stolen GMC pickup spotted the vehicle on I-29 near Kansas City International Airport. Sheriff’s deputies tried to pull it over, but the driver sped away, Almond said.

The vehicle sped away on Interstate 435 from KCI and went into Clay County. The pursuit turned west on Missouri 152 and back into Platte County and then into Platte City, where the pickup headed north in the southbound lanes of I-29.

It collided with an SUV, Almond said. Its driver, Benjamin Shively of Overland Park, was taken to a hospital.

Traffic on I-29 was shut down while investigators collected evidence.

This story was originally published July 2, 2014 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Fleeing driver dies in wrong-way crash on I-29."