Man is convicted in fatal Kansas City crash that happened after he fled Independence police
A Jackson County judge convicted a 24-year-old man Monday in a January 2014 wreck that killed a motorist and injured two others following a police chase that started in Independence.
Andrew J. Stark was found guilty of second-degree murder, assault, fleeing police, driving with a revoked license and leaving the scene of an accident.
Authorities said Stark was fleeing from Independence police when he ran a red light and struck another vehicle at 23rd Street and Hardesty Avenue in Kansas City. The wreck killed Jason Lewis, of Kansas City, who was driving the other vehicle.
The chase started after an Independence officer operating radar at 23rd Street and Hall Road saw a car traveling at high speed that almost struck another vehicle. The officer followed the car west on 23rd Street as the car reached speeds that exceeded 100 mph. The officer ended the chase at 23rd and Wheeling Avenue in Kansas City. About four blocks later, the crash happened.
Stark ran from the scene, but Kansas City officers arrested him nearby minutes later.
Glenn E. Rice: 816-234-4341, @GRicekcstar
This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 1:16 PM.