KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement in the Kansas City area.
Just before 3a.m. Tuesday, a State trooper attempted to stop a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 31-year-old Austin M. Brewer, 31, Kansas City, on U.S. 40 at South Crysler Avenue in Independence, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The driver had committed lane violation(s) and was suspected of driving while intoxicated. A pursuit ensued and as the trooper pursued the suspect, officers with Independence Police successfully deployed spike strips on South Sterling Avenue just south of E 23rd Street.
At 2:51am, Brewer lost control of the Jeep and crashed into a utility pole. Brewer was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported passenger identified as Kassitie L. Murphy, 35, Independence, Missouri to Centerpoint Medical Center.