Marina
The close-knit neighbourhood of South Kansas City is reeling after the tragic death of a 9-year-old child struck while riding their bicycle to school.
On the morning of October 14, 2025, the young student was biking to class when a vehicle turned left at the intersection of Longview Road & Food Lane, hit the child in the marked crosswalk and drove off.
The accident occurred around 7:19–7:20 a.m., and despite first responders’ efforts the child was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
What Happened — Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim age | 9 years old |
| Location | Intersection of Longview Road & Food Lane, South Kansas City |
| Time of incident | Approximately 7:19–7:20 a.m. |
| Victim activity | Riding bicycle in the marked crosswalk, with a green pedestrian signal |
| Vehicle involved | White Ford Transit van turning left from Food Lane onto Longview Road |
| Driver action | Stopped at the scene and cooperating with police investigation |
| School affiliation | Third-grader at a nearby elementary school (within a block of the site) |
| Community actions | Over 100 people gathered in a vigil; memorial items placed at the scene |
A Community Reels & Responds
The fatal crash has shaken students, parents, teachers and residents in the area. A vigil held the week following the crash drew more than 100 people—many wore shirts bearing the child’s name, released blue balloons (the victim’s favourite colour) and placed a “ghost bike” in her memory.
Local police and school district officials have since stepped in: the school is offering additional counselling and support staff for classmates and staff, while city officials are considering traffic-safety changes in response to concerns about the intersection’s danger.
One measure proposed: banning right-turns on red lights in school zones during school hours to reduce risks for children on foot or bike. The investigation into the crash remains active.
Why Safety Measures Matter
This young life lost underscores the urgent need for stronger school-zone safety protections, especially where children walk or bike to school. That intersection already had a reputation among residents as being “busy and dangerous” for kids crossing.
The fact that the child was in the crosswalk and had a green signal raises serious questions about driver awareness, visibility, infrastructure, and urban design.
Preventive steps now being discussed include:
- Installing crossing guards or enhanced signage at the intersection
- Speed-reduction measures during school arrival hours
- Driver education campaigns focused on school-zone vigilance
- Infrastructure redesigns such as enhanced crosswalk lighting, raised crosswalks or protected bike lanes
A Brief Profile of the Young Student
Though her life was cut short, the young child made an impact in her community:
- A grade-3 student at the local elementary school, located just a short distance from the crash site
- Known by friends and family as a cheerful, active young person who loved biking, drawing and being outdoors
- On the morning of October 14, she set out on her regular bike ride to school — a ride that ended in sorrow
The death of this 9-year-old student has left a void in the South Kansas City community — a young life ended too soon under tragic circumstances.
Her loss is a powerful reminder that children deserve safe routes to school, protected by vigilant drivers, common-sense infrastructure and committed communities. As the investigation continues and safety measures are considered, her memory must serve as impetus for change.
The hope is that no other family has to face a morning like this, and that every child’s ride or walk to school is met with the safety they deserve.