KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City man has been charged in connection with a February 4 crash that killed two people.
Michael P. Mertens, 28, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and driving while a license was revoked, the Jackson County prosecutor announced Monday.
The crash happened at East 18th Street and Brooklyn Avenue.
According to police, a Honda Pilot was driving eastbound on 18th Street, traveling at 60 to 80 miles per hour. The SUV ran a stop sign and hit a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was northbound on East Brooklyn Avenue.
The crash killed Virgil M. Dixon and Judith R. Morris, both 54, who were in the Monte Carlo.
Witnesses told police the Honda SUV ran a stop sign before hitting the car.
Another witness said she began following the car when she realized it was her mother's stolen SUV.
The driver of the stolen SUV fled the scene, but was later taken into custody and identified as Mertens.
A $250,000 bond was requested for the man.
