Accident – death – Obituary News :

Tragic Fiery Crash on Interstate 435 Claims Innocent Driver’s Life

60-year-old Alphonso Carroll Identified as Victim in Head-on Collision

A devastating incident unfolded in Kansas City on Monday morning, resulting in the loss of a 60-year-old man’s life. Alphonso Carroll, an innocent driver in a Chevrolet Equinox crossover SUV, was tragically killed in a fiery head-on crash. The collision involved a robbery suspect who was fleeing from the Kansas City police and driving in the wrong direction on Interstate 435. Officer Alayna Gonzalez from the Kansas City Police Department confirmed these details on Thursday.

Wrong-Way Driver Identified as 29-year-old Ollie L. Coldiron

The suspect responsible for the crash has been identified as 29-year-old Ollie L. Coldiron. He was driving a black Dodge Challenger while attempting to evade the pursuing police officers. The collision occurred near Missouri 210 highway when Coldiron crashed into Carroll’s vehicle in a head-on collision. Sadly, both Carroll and Coldiron lost their lives in the tragic accident.

Robbery Spree and Police Pursuit

Prior to the crash, Coldiron had been involved in a series of armed robberies at three convenience stores in Northland. These robberies took place in the early hours of Monday morning. The targeted stores were the Phillips 66 Minit Mart at 9901 NE Barry Road, the Shell gas station at 5401 NW 64th Street, and the Pilot Travel Center at 8801 NE Birmingham Road. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during these incidents.

Kansas City police were quick to respond and initiated a pursuit after identifying Coldiron as a possible suspect in the robberies. However, during the pursuit, Coldiron began driving against the oncoming traffic, prompting the officers to terminate the chase. Officer Gonzalez confirmed that the decision to end the pursuit was made due to the dangerous nature of Coldiron’s actions.

Tragic Collision on Interstate 435

Despite the police pursuit being called off, Coldiron continued driving south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 435. It was during this time that the fatal crash occurred. Carroll, who was innocently traveling north on the same highway, collided head-on with Coldiron’s vehicle near the Missouri 210 highway. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

Collaborative Efforts and Ongoing Investigation

In the aftermath of the accident, Officer Gonzalez emphasized that the incident involved a collaborative effort from multiple agencies. While the pursuing officer had terminated the chase, another officer was moving into the area to assist with the apprehension of the suspect. It is crucial to note that this officer was not directly involved in the pursuit.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and certain details, such as the identification of the suspect and the method used to locate the vehicle, have not been disclosed. Officer Gonzalez stated that such information falls under the scope of the ongoing investigation.

Adherence to Pursuit Policy

The pursuit conducted by the Kansas City Police Department adhered to their established pursuit policy. Pursuits against the flow of traffic on a divided highway are prohibited, unless approved by a supervisor or commander and if the pursued individual poses a threat of felony arrest. Officers are permitted to pursue parallel in the correct direction on the highway. When a chase is terminated, officers are required to deactivate their lights and sirens, resume a safe speed, and comply with traffic laws.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in police pursuits and the importance of prioritizing public safety. The loss of innocent lives is a heartbreaking consequence that authorities strive to prevent.

Glenn E. Rice from The Star contributed to this story.

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