KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal crash during a high-speed chase in Kansas City have identified the victim as 66-year-old Joe W. Williams.
Just before 2:30p.m. Saturday, Independence Police were in pursuit of a white Chevrolet Z71 Pickup truck. The pursuit entered the city limits of Kansas City and traveled westbound on 31st Street, according to Officer Phil DiMartino.
In the area of 31st and Wabash, the Chevrolet struck an eastbound black Audi Q5. After striking the Audi, the Chevrolet struck a westbound red KIA Sportage. After impact, the Chevrolet traveled off the roadway to the left, up over the sidewalk, through a wrought iron fence, up a grassy embankment and stuck a large tree.
The driver of the Chevrolet later identified as Williams was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The driver and rear seat passenger of the KIA were both transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Audi was uninjured in the collision.
There were no Officers from the Kansas City Police Department directly involved in the pursuit. This is fatality #40 compared to #29 at this time last year.