A 16-year-old Independence girl died late Saturday in a two-car crash near U.S. 24 and Davis Road in eastern Independence.
Independence Police Sgt. David Ison reports that the crash happened about 11:36 p.m. A 19-year-old Blue Springs man was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24. His car collided with an eastbound 1995 Plymouth Neon driven by a 17-year-old Independence girl. One of her passengers -- the 16-year-old girl from Independence -- died at the scene. The driver and her other passenger -- a 15-year-old Buckner girl -- were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet also was taken to a hospital and later was taken into police custody. The suspect's name will be released after formal charges are filed. It is believed alcohol contributed to the crash.
The identities of the girls have not been release, pending notification of relatives.
It was the sixth fatal crash in Independence in 2009. At this time in 2008 there had been nine fatal crashes.
