Arthur Lee Killed in Kansas City Hit-and-Run Accident
The deadly hit-and-run occurred on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Eastwood Trafficway.
The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) is attempting to locate the suspect and vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run earlier this month. The incident happened just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Eastwood Trafficway.
Police said the victim was on a scooter and was attempting to turn left when a dark-colored car, traveling northwest, ran a red light and hit him. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as 60-year-old Arthur Lee.
On Tuesday, KCPD released photos of the suspect vehicle. Police said the vehicle will likely have damage to the center grill and hood. The vehicle is described as a black or dark-colored newer model SUV with window tint, turn signal indicator lights on side mirrors and high intensity head lights.
Anyone with information can call the KCPD Traffic Investigation at 816-949-1524 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
Victims like Arthur Lee are tragically killed in hit-and-run incidents across our country, and their families are often left with deep grief and unanswered questions. The investigation process for these types of crashes is complex.
Investigators carefully examine crash sites for evidence such as vehicle debris, skid marks, and surveillance footage. Dashcam video, nearby doorbell cameras, and witness accounts are important in identifying the fleeing vehicle and driver. The KCPD has already released photos of the suspect vehicle in this case, a critical step. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal noted, "Nobody thinks about automatic license plate readers until they're used to track a driver's path across town. These scanners help police find cars even if there isn't a single witness to the impact."
Hit-and-run crashes remain a significant safety concern. Federal data indicates that over the past five years, approximately 25% of all fatalities in the United States involved hit-and-run incidents where the driver fled the scene. In fatal hit-and-run crashes, the vehicle that struck the victim was the fleeing vehicle in 94% of cases. The identification of a suspect vehicle in Arthur Lee's death is a critical step in bringing accountability.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.080, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Missouri applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and aggravating circumstances damages.
When a driver flees the scene of a fatal accident, they face much harsher legal consequences than if they had remained.