On February 23, 2025, the Kansas City Star reported that four people were killed in a terrible crash after a local high school basketball game. Three of the victims—Ava Wolfe, Jayden Butterfield and Violet Corrado—were teenagers who were recent graduates of Climax Springs High School. The driver of their vehicle, a 49-year-old man, reportedly ran a stop sign. Here, our Kansas City wrongful death lawyer explains what we know about the tragic fatal crash.
Police: Driver Ran Stop Sign, Caused Fatal Crash
On February 21, 2025, a tragic car accident in Vernon County, Missouri, claimed the lives of three recent high school graduates of Climax Springs High School: Ava Wolfe, Jayden Butterfield, and Violet Corado. The terrible crash happened around 8:00 PM. The teenagers were returning from a high school basketball game. A preliminary investigation revealed that the 49-year-old driver of their Toyota Corolla failed to stop at a stop sign on Highway 54. The Toyota was struck by an oncoming GMC Terrain. It veered off the road and struck a nearby fence. The driver of the Corolla and a 38-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries. The 38-year-old driver of the GMC was also killed in the devastating crash. Four passengers of the GMC also suffered serious injuries. The crash is still under investigation by the Missouri State Police.
Motor Vehicle Crashes are a Leading Cause of Death Among American Teens
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among American teenagers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidents are the single leading cause of death of teenagers in the United States. Notably, traffic collisions are by far the most common type of fatal accident for teens. While teen drivers do end up in serious crashes at a higher rate than older drivers, many are involved in bad accidents as passengers as well. Far more needs to be done to improve highway safety.
Missouri is Below Average on Highway Safety Metrics
Not only does the United States have more serious traffic crashes than other comparable countries, but Missouri is one of the worst states for highway safety. Unfortunately, Missouri is below average on several highway safety metrics. In 2025, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety ranked Missouri as having the most dangerous traffic laws in the nation. Beyond that, a 2024 Forbes Advisor report identified Missouri as the second-riskiest state to drive in. It is clear that reforms are needed to improve traffic safety in our region.
Contact Our Kansas City Fatal Auto Accident Attorney Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City fatal accident lawyer is a compassionate, experienced advocate for grieving families. If your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle crash, we are here to handle all aspects of your legal case. Justice matters. Call us now or contact us online for a free case review. With a law office in Kansas City, we handle wrongful death cases in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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