Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Sharon I. Ault
Age : 50
Gender : Female
Race : White
Date : 09/24/2023
Location : South Little Blue Parkway south of East Bundschu Road
City : Independence
County : Jackson
State : Missouri
Agency : Independence Police Department
Officer(s) :Unknown
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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REASON FOR CHASE:
Independence police attempted to stop a Ford F-150 because it had no visible license plate.
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NARRATIVE:
On 09/24/2023, 63-year-old Sharon I. Ault of Buckner was killed when a fleeing Ford F-150 crashed head-on into her Dodge Avenger following an Independence Police Department chase.
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At approximately 11:02 p.m., officers activated their emergency lights and sirens to stop the Ford near Lee's Summit Road and 20th Street. The driver fled north on Lee's Summit Road, ran a red light at Truman Road and continued onto U.S. 24. The truck reached speeds exceeding 100 mph and at times traveled in the center turn lane with oncoming traffic.
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The chase continued onto Little Blue Parkway. The Ford crossed into the northbound lanes while traveling south. Police followed from the southbound side of the divided highway, with the pursuing police vehicle traveling approximately 91 mph in a 50-mph zone.
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After the Ford remained wrong-way beyond Bundschu Road, officers terminated the chase, turned off their emergency equipment and began slowing. Moments later, officers came upon the crash south of Bundschu Road, where the Ford had struck Ault's Dodge Avenger in the northbound lanes. Ault was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Police later determined that the Ford had been reported stolen. The fleeing driver and his passenger were injured and taken into custody. The driver was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and other offenses.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Independence Police Department officers involved in the chase were not identified in available records.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/two-people-in-custody-after-fatal-wrong-way-crash-in-independence
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article279728734.html
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2293/MTBrooks
https://www.aol.com/two-people-custody-wrong-way-115251520.html
