Wrong-way Driver Causes Triple Fatality in Platte County

Three people died in a two-vehicle accident that occurred overnight on I-29 in Platte County at the 29.4 mile marker.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that 2017 Ford Edge, driven by  34-year-old Kyle Mendez of Topeka, Kansas, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes just after midnight, when it struck a 2007 Honda Odyssey, driven by 55-year-old Joel Similien of Kansas City, head on.

The Odyssey minvan ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a concrete barrier.

Similien and two of his passengers, 54-year-old Sheyla Similien, and 52-year-old Michelet Metellus, all of Kansas City, died at the scene. Their bodies were taken to Forensic Medical of Kansas.

33-year-old Vladimyr Mercier of Kansas City, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Buchanan County EMS to Mosaic Hospital in St. Joseph.

54-year-old Frankel Francois, also of Kansas City, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Northland Regional Regional Ambulance District (NRAD) to North Kansas City Hospital.

37-year-old Jacnert Lubin of Kansas City, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Northland Regional Regional Ambulance District (NRAD) to North Kansas City Hospital.

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Herilert Bellot of Kansas City (age unavailable) was transported by Northland Regional Regional Ambulance District (NRAD) to North Kansas City Hospital.

Both vehicles were totaled and towed.

Platte County Deputies assisted the eight Troopers on scene.

Prosecutors have since charged Mendez with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.