Fatal crash involving motorcycle closes I-35 in Kansas City’s Northland
A fatal crash involving a motorcycle early Monday has shut down a major commuter route in Kansas City’s Northland, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
The crash occurred along southbound I-35 near Northeast Pleasant Valley Road, the highway patrol said on X, formerly Twitter.
“The fatality involves a motorcycle, and there are several other minor crashes in the area as well,” the highway patrol said.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcyclist lost control and the rider was ejected and killed in the single-vehicle crash, the highway patrol said.
After the initial crash, the motorcycle was struck by a semi tractor-trailer, which left the scene, the highway patrol said.
Both northbound and southbound I-35 were closed at Northeast Pleasant Valley Road while the crash was investigated. The southbound lanes closed around 4:30 a.m. while the northbound lanes closed about 4:50 a.m., according to the Kansas City Scout traffic management system.
The northbound lanes reopened shortly before 7 a.m., according to the highway patrol. Southbound traffic was being forced to exit at the U.S. 69, Pleasant Valley/Claycomo exit.
The highway patrol urged commuters to avoid the area and use alternative routes, including Missouri 152 to Interstate 435.
The traffic was causing significant problems for the morning commute. Kansas City Scout traffic cameras showed traffic backing up along southbound I-35 to Missouri 291.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing and anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to call 816-622-0800.
This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 6:42 AM.
