Recent I-29 fatal pedestrian crash highlights dangers of crossing the highway

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Transportation is warning people about the dangers of crossing the highway after the most recent pedestrian accident on Interstate 29 Friday night.

The wreck occurred around 5:30 p.m. in Kansas City, killing a woman and causing a severe backup on the highway. The victim was identified Saturday evening as Amy E. Nichols, 37.

This is the fourth deadly pedestrian accident on that stretch of I-29 since 2010.

In September, a man walking on the highway was killed on near the Barry Road interchange.

Then in 2011, a woman was killed when she was crossing the highway near Tiffany Springs Parkway.

And in December 2010, a man was killed when he was struck while crossing the highway at Barry Road.

According to the Traffic Crash Statistics on the Missouri Highway Patrol website , there have been 85 car vs. pedestrian crashes in Kansas City this year. Out of those 85 crashes, 70 included injuries and 11 were fatalities. 

MoDOT is asking that people avoid crossing lanes of traffic on the highway.

"On the highway, the speed limit may say 65 miles an hour, but not everybody goes 65," emergency response operator Anthony Snorgrass said. "By the time you get halfway across, it's too late."

Snorgrass said if drivers find themselves in car trouble on the side of the road, they should remain on the shoulder or the grass, away from traffic.