UPDATE, May 20 | The driver of the Porsche was identified as 23-year-old Martin Withers of Kansas City, Missouri. The Toyota passenger killed was identified as 41-year-old Christina Pappas of Kansas City, Missouri.
UPDATE, 5:30 p.m. | A spokesperson for the Independence Police Department says two people died and two others suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash Tuesday afternoon.
According to initial reports, around 3:45 p.m., a Porsche passenger car was heading east on U.S. 40 Highway when it swerved into the westbound lanes to avoid slow traffic. While in the westbound lanes, it struck a Toyota passenger car head-on.
The passenger in the Toyota, identified as a 41-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, woman, died at a local hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver, a 31-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man, also died at a local hospital.
The driver of the Toyota and a passenger in the Porsche also suffered life-threatening injuries.
ORIGINAL STORY, May 18 | Emergency crews say multiple people were seriously hurt in a crash Tuesday afternoon along U.S. 40 Highway.
A tweet from the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Kansas City office said the highway was closed as of 4:45 p.m. at Denton Road in Independence.
🚨Breaking: All lanes of 40 Hwy & Denton Rd. closed @JacksonCountyMO. Possible multiple fatalities. Several emergency crews now on scene. Find alternate routes. #kctraffic pic.twitter.com/dRZYzsUJZ6
— MoDOT Kansas City (@MoDOT_KC) May 18, 2021
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
—
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
