by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter

A fatal traffic accident along Interstate 29 closed the highway for several hours near the intersection with 92 Highway at Platte City.

According to a Missouri Highway Patrol report, Kelsey A. Ryan, 18, of Platte City, was killed while entering Interstate 29 South from Highway 92 around 7 p.m.  She was driving a Ford Escort and lost control at the bottom of the entrance ramp and her vehicle spun into the highway.

Her vehicle was struck by a semi-trailer truck which was traveling south on the Interstate.  The truck, driven by Robert D. Wolford, 55, of Rupert, Idaho, struck the Escort overturning it and causing the vehicle to come to rest in the northbound lanes of the Interstate.

Both drivers were transported to North Kansas City Hospital by NRAD.  Ryan was pronounced dead around 10 p.m.  Wolford suffered minor injuries in the wreck and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Ryan was a senior at Park Hill South High School and was editor of the school’s yearbook.  She was an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and worked as a lifeguard at the North Kansas City Community Center and Platte City Pool.  Ryan was planning on attending Northwest Missouri State in Maryville in the fall to major in photography.

Park Hill South officials are counseling students and staff at the high school.