Northbound traffic on US Highway 71 reopens after critical injury crash closes it for hours

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Drivers using northbound U.S. Highway 71 should seek an alternate route Tuesday afternoon.

A two-vehicle crash at 1:15 p.m. at Bannister Road shut down northbound traffic, highway officials said the road re-opened after it was closed for approximately three hours.

An initial investigation revealed that a blue Kenworth truck, tractor and trailer was traveling northbound on 71 Highway. Just south of Bannister Road the Kenworth started to slow for traffic when the trailer was rear-ended by a white Dodge Charger that was driving at a high rate of speed.

KCPD said the driver and lone occupant in the Dodge was not wearing their seatbelt and was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Kenworth was uninjured in the collision.

Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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