Man dies after truck launches into trees in Kansas City

The single-vehicle crash occurred on Saturday afternoon near the intersection of Martha Truman Road and Blue Ridge Road.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. According to police, a white Dodge Ram pickup was speeding south on Blue River Road when the driver failed to follow the curve of the road, drove through the dirt shoulder, up a mound, and launched into the treeline, rotating 180 degrees and hitting a large tree. The driver, who was the only person in the car, was ejected during the collision and pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after.

Why it matters

Single-vehicle crashes involving high speeds and loss of control can often lead to tragic outcomes, highlighting the importance of safe driving practices and the need for continued efforts to improve road safety in the Kansas City area.

The details

The crash occurred around 1:32 p.m. near the intersection of Martha Truman Road and Blue River Road. According to the preliminary investigation, the white Dodge Ram pickup was speeding south on Blue River Road when the driver failed to follow the curve of the road, drove through the dirt shoulder, up a mound, and launched into the treeline. The truck rotated 180 degrees and hit a large tree, and the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, was ejected during the collision.

  • The crash occurred around 1:32 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Kansas City Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the single-vehicle crash.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for all drivers to prioritize safety and exercise caution, especially when navigating curves and high-speed roads, in order to prevent similar devastating outcomes in the future.