ALLEGED WRONG-WAY DRIVER ON I-29
A man is accused of killing three people while allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 29 during the early morning hours of July 11. Kyle Anthony Waymon Mendez, 34, of Topeka, Kan. has been charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter in the first degree and leaving the scene of an accident.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said the charges were filed on July 11 following an investigation of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, assisted by the Platte County Sheriff’s Department.
According to court documents, shortly after midnight, troopers and deputies went to a crash on I-29 near the 29-mile marker. A black Ford Edge allegedly traveling northbound in the southbound lanes had struck a silver Honda Odyssey head on.
Three people in the Odyssey were killed. Four other occupants of the Odyssey were transported to hospitals. The driver of the Ford was not at the scene.
Platte County sheriff’s deputies attempted to locate the driver of the Ford using a drone, but they were initially unsuccessful. At about 8 a.m., court documents indicate a deputy using a drone located Mendez in a bean field using a stick to hold himself up.
Mendez was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital.
Mendez is currently being held without bond. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Mendez faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of leaving the scene of the accident.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jaclyn Taylor and First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson.
