Executive Summary
- Fatal Incident: A 17-year-old died after being struck by a vehicle on I-70 while fleeing a police traffic stop on foot.
- Traffic Stop Details: Independence Police stopped a 2012 Ford Fusion for violations shortly before the occupants fled.
- Police Statement: Officials confirmed that officers did not engage in a vehicle chase prior to the suspects fleeing.
- Investigation: The Missouri State Highway Patrol is leading the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.
A 17-year-old was killed Thursday night in Independence, Missouri, after fleeing a traffic stop on foot and attempting to cross Interstate 70, where they were struck by a passing vehicle. The incident, which began with a routine stop for traffic violations, is currently under investigation by state authorities.
According to the Independence Police Department, officers initiated a stop on a 2012 Ford Fusion around 8:45 p.m. regarding several observed traffic violations. Police stated that during the stop, the vehicle began merging toward the shoulder but was nearly struck by a semi-truck that was yielding to the police cruiser. The Ford Fusion reportedly pulled away from the shoulder, continued eastbound briefly, and then pulled over again once the police unit maneuvered behind it.
Officials report that once the vehicle came to a complete halt, two occupants exited the car and fled the scene on foot. One of the individuals attempted to run across the active lanes of Interstate 70. A crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) indicates that a 2024 Ford Bronco traveling westbound struck the 17-year-old pedestrian in the roadway. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Independence Police Department emphasized in a statement that its officers did not engage in a vehicle pursuit during the sequence of events leading to the fatality. The second individual who fled on foot has not been publicly identified in the initial reports.
Investigative Outlook
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine if any additional factors contributed to the fatality. Authorities will likely review dash-camera footage and witness statements to verify the timeline of the traffic stop and the subsequent flight of the occupants. As the investigation proceeds, determinations regarding potential charges for the surviving occupants or the driver of the vehicle involved in the initial stop remain pending. It is important to note that all individuals involved in criminal allegations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
