In a heartfelt initiative to prevent future tragedies, the families of three individuals who lost their lives in a December 2021 crash have partnered with Kansas City officials to enhance safety at the Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard intersection.
Their collaborative efforts have led to the installation of an Opticom 4-way detector system, aiming to improve emergency vehicle response times and overall intersection safety.
The Tragic Incident
On December 15, 2021, a Kansas City Fire Department pumper truck, responding to an emergency with lights and sirens activated, collided with a vehicle at the Westport and Broadway intersection.
The crash resulted in the deaths of Jennifer San Nicolas and Michael Elwood, occupants of the vehicle, and Tami Knight, a pedestrian awaiting her companion.
Installation of the Opticom System
Prior to this incident, while the fire truck was equipped with an Opticom transponder, the intersection lacked the corresponding receiver, leading to the tragic events.
To address this gap, the families of Elwood and Knight generously funded the purchase of the Opticom equipment, donating $7,628 to the City of Kansas City.
The city contributed an additional $8,923.81 for the installation, culminating in the system’s activation on January 17, 2025.
Community and Family Perspectives
Laura Norris, owner/operator of Ragazza restaurant where Elwood and San Nicolas were employed, expressed a mix of gratitude and frustration:
“We think those are extraordinarily important… I am thrilled that one is installed but I am sort of embarrassed that the families had to do that.”
Tim Dollar, attorney for Elwood’s family, noted that the installation serves as a meaningful legacy, stating:
“One of the ways you get better is by being able to have this legacy that is in his death he can be remembered.”
Legal Proceedings
Firefighter Dominic Biscari, driver of the pumper truck, faced legal action following the crash. In April 2023, he pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter and received three years of probation.
Despite this conviction, arbitration ruled in favor of his reinstatement, a decision currently under legal review.
The collaborative efforts of the victims’ families and Kansas City officials have resulted in tangible safety improvements at a historically hazardous intersection.
While the installation of the Opticom system represents progress, ongoing legal and community discussions continue to shape the future of public safety measures in the area.