The vehicle was found burning with a deceased individual nearby at 604 N. Garland Avenue. Google Maps

On Monday, Jan. 11, the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) announced the second fatal vehicle crash of 2021.

On Saturday, Jan. 9 around 12:30 a.m., East Patrol Division (EPD) officers were dispatched to the area of 604 N. Garland on a reported car fire just south of the location on the railroad tracks.

Upon KCPD’s arrival, the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) was already on the scene extinguishing the car fire. Firefighters reported that the driver’s door was open upon their arrival and they had located a deceased party next to the vehicle. The vehicle appeared to have been involved in an accident.

On January 11, the Accident Investigation Section of KCPD was notified that the vehicle crash and fire resulting in the death of the driver was ruled a motor vehicle fatality by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s office.

North Garland Avenue runs between North Wabash Avenue and North Prospect Avenue in the East Bottoms. It terminates at the train tracks just south of Rochester Avenue before continuing briefly on the south side of the tracks at Guinotte Avenue.