A devastating accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon along northbound Interstate 435 in Wyandotte County, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Jacob Rhodes from Shawnee. The crash happened around 1:15 p.m. when Rhodes’ vehicle veered across all lanes of traffic and collided with a bridge pillar. Emergency responders from the Edwardsville Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol arrived promptly but found Rhodes deceased at the scene.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that Rhodes’ vehicle crossed multiple lanes before striking the bridge support. Authorities have not released information regarding potential contributing factors such as speed, weather conditions, or mechanical issues.
The incident led to the closure of both directions of I-435 for over three hours, causing significant traffic delays as investigators worked to clear the scene and gather evidence. The highway has since been reopened to traffic.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety and the potential consequences of accidents. The community mourns the loss of a young life and awaits further details from the ongoing investigation.
