KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A fatal crash near the intersection of North 27th Street and Wood Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., on Friday began with gunshots, according to police, and in the end, took the life of a 17-year-old girl. The life of Brayona Hullum was remembered Monday afternoon when balloons were released in her honor.
Three others who were in the same car she was in were hurt when the driver lost control. Neighbors say around 12:30 p.m., they first heard screeching tires and gunshots in the 3300 block of Wood Avenue. Police believe Hullum may have been fleeing gunfire before she crashed the maroon Chevrolet Impala. She was traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control of the car, knocked down a fence and crashed in the front yard of a vacant house, according to witnesses.
Police say Hullum died instantly, and witnesses say two women in the back seats were thrown from the car. Family members say that all the females in the car are related to each other and are between 16 and 20.
“Yes she was conscious, and then her leg, you could see the bone sticking out. She wanted to move, so I just held her hand,” said witness Ruthie Edwards, about one of the injured.
Edwards was visiting a friend in the area and heard the loud crash. She said she stayed at the scene and comforted one of the injured women who was thrown from the car until paramedics arrived.
Police say the crash is now being investigated as a homicide. They are looking for the person or people from another car who apparently shot at the women. Right now they believe Hullum was killed by injuries from the crash, not a bullet, but await autopsy results.
If you’re interested in helping the family, you can attend a vigil Monday night at 6 p.m. at North 27th and Wood Ave., in Kansas City, Kan. There is also a GoFundMe page set up to assist with funeral expenses.
