Overview
- A semi-truck struck three passenger vehicles on northbound U.S. 71 at East 19th Street just south of downtown Kansas City, producing a major crash scene.
- Three people who were riding in a Honda minivan died and five others were taken to hospitals with injuries, with several people described as critically injured.
- Police said the semi did not slow for congested traffic and investigators placed the truck driver on an investigative hold as the cause and fault are probed.
- Emergency crews kept northbound U.S. 71 lanes closed near East 19th Street while they treated the injured, cleared the scene and worked to restore traffic.
- U.S. 71 is a main route into downtown, so the crash caused heavy congestion and officials warned commuters to expect delays while the criminal investigation and scene clearing continue.