PLATTE CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City, Missouri, teen faces multiple charges in connection to a wrong-way crash on I-29 in April that left eight people injured and an unborn baby dead.
Bryan L. Blankenship, 18, was charged with one count of first degree involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of second degree assault in connection to the April 5th wreck on I-29 near NW 72nd Street.
According to court documents, Blankenship was allegedly driving northbound in the southbound lanes when he was involved in a collision with five other vehicles.
Authorities say that a total of 23 people were in the other five vehicles – ten of whom were transported to area hospitals. One of the injured victims was pregnant, and suffered injuries so severe that an emergency delivery of her baby was required.
That baby later died, prosecutors said.
Blankenship was also injured in the crash and taken to an area hospital for treatment. Toxicology results of Blankenship’s blood indicated the presence of drugs as well as a blood alcohol level of .197.
If convicted, Blankenship faces up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and up to seven years in prison on each of the assault charges. A warrant has been issued for Blankenship’s arrest, with a $100,000 cash-only bond.
