PRESS RELEASE: Pedestrian struck and killed in KCMO hit-and-run

A young woman was struck and killed by a speeding driver in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 21.

The crash happened shortly before 3 a.m. near the intersection of 43rd and Main streets. Witnesses say the victim was attempting to cross the street. Two drivers were racing southbound on Main when one of them struck the victim.

The victim, identified as 23-year-old Zahara Kathawalla of Kansas City, died at the scene. The driver initially fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle, but they turned themselves into authorities a short time later.

“We want to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Zahara,” said Eric Rogers, executive director for BikeWalkKC. “We are relieved to learn that the driver has come forward and is now in custody.”

“This crash is made all the worse by the fact that Haley Elizabeth Hackett lost her life in this same area in 2018,” said BikeWalkKC policy manager Michael Kelley. “Too many lives are being stolen by a car culture that prioritizes efficiency over safety, and until that changes, tragedies like this will continue to occur.”

While fewer drivers are on the road as a result of the pandemic, there have also been more incidents of speeding. This creates a more dangerous street network for everyone, but especially for people who walk, bike, and roll.

For more information, contact Karen Campbell, director of development and communications, at (816) 205-7056 (ext. 2) or by email at karen.campbell@bikewalkkc.org

BikeWalkKC believes that crashes are not accidents

Posted in Advocacy, BikeWalkKC News, Local, News, Press Releases, Walking and tagged , , , .