Mayor vows against street lawlessness as officer recovers from ATV hit-and-run

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City’s Mayor has made a vow that street lawlessness will not be tolerated after an officer was critically injured during a hit-and-run with an ATV.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced on Sunday, April 13, that a KCPD officer has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home after he was run over by an ATV the previous evening.

“Last night, a reckless ATV driver caused injuries to a Kansas City police officer, mayhem on our streets, and continued to display the lawlessness that too many dirt bike, stunt drivers, ATV users, racers, and others display on streets in dense areas of our city,” the Mayor said in a statement. “We expect our officer to recover and pray he can return to normal service soon.”

Around 6:55 p.m. on Saturday, first responders said they were called to the area of E. Truman and S. Main St., near the Crossroads. An officer with the Kansas City Police Department attempted to place tire deflation devices during an incident with the driver of an ATV.

As the ATV’s driver avoided the devices, law enforcement officials said he hit and drove over the officer who placed them. The first responder was treated at a nearby hospital for a critical head injury.

“Rest assured, as the weather gets warmer, serious enforcement action from KCPD, apprehension, and felony referrals to our prosecutors will follow for all those causing fear, serious injuries, and harm even to themselves on the streets of Kansas City. Vehicles are not toys and the streets are not playgrounds for lawlessness. All have a right to enjoy our city uninterrupted by those whose actions bring harm to others,” Mayor Lucas concluded.

As of Sunday, the ATV’s driver remains at large. Anyone with information about the incident should report it to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

“So anytime it warms up, you start to see more dirt bikes out more, four-wheelers are out on the streets,” said Cody Mixon, who lives downtown. “I do see the safety issues when it becomes kind of like this cat and mouse game between the police officers and the riders themselves.”

Others echoed concerns about safety and accountability.

“Hopefully, this will bring more attention to what’s going on down here because it is dangerous. Someone’s going to get hit coming out of the hotels,” said Tim Moore.

Max Kuenzi, another downtown resident, voiced frustration with the situation. He has been living in the area for the past year and loves the vibrancy of city life.

“It’s just unfortunate to see that line being crossed and them not having the respect for everybody else too in the area,” Kuenzi said.

Michelle O’Leary, who works downtown, said the behavior needs to be taken seriously.

“If I’m being totally honest, I feel like ‘kids being kids’ is an excuse,” she said. “If they’re getting away with it, and there’s no consequence, then they’ll continue to keep doing the same thing over and over again.”

No further information has been released.

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