A motorcyclist who was escorting a funeral procession was hit by an SUV Wednesday afternoon.
The collision happened on Woods Chapel Road near Kingsridge Drive in Blue Springs.
Police said a 20-year-old driver of an SUV was seen passing cars in the funeral procession and then hit the funeral escort, who was trying to control traffic.
"Apparently the driver that was involved was leapfrogging -- witnesses say leapfrogging other cars in the procession," Detective Jeremy Dickstein said.
Steven Keith, 51, has life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. His employer said Keith is in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
Witnesses told KMBC's Chris Nagus that the SUV driver appeared to be upset.
"He was pretty well shaken up. It bothered him, you could tell," witness Ted Giefer said.
"He actually used my phone to call his wife -- he was rather (shaken)," witness Evelyn Loughran said.
Police said they believe the SUV driver had been drinking alcohol. He was taken into custody.
A motorcyclist who was escorting a funeral procession was hit by an SUV Wednesday afternoon.
The collision happened on Woods Chapel Road near Kingsridge Drive in Blue Springs.
Police said a 20-year-old driver of an SUV was seen passing cars in the funeral procession and then hit the funeral escort, who was trying to control traffic.
"Apparently the driver that was involved was leapfrogging -- witnesses say leapfrogging other cars in the procession," Detective Jeremy Dickstein said.
Steven Keith, 51, has life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. His employer said Keith is in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
Witnesses told KMBC's Chris Nagus that the SUV driver appeared to be upset.
"He was pretty well shaken up. It bothered him, you could tell," witness Ted Giefer said.
"He actually used my phone to call his wife -- he was rather (shaken)," witness Evelyn Loughran said.
Police said they believe the SUV driver had been drinking alcohol. He was taken into custody.
Related To Story
Video: Motorcyclist Escorting Funeral Hit By SUV
Motorcyclist Escorting Funeral Hit By SUV
Police Say Alcohol May Be Involved
POSTED: 3:41 pm CDT April 2, 2008
UPDATED: 10:22 pm CDT April 2, 2008
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. -- A motorcyclist who was escorting a funeral procession was hit by an SUV Wednesday afternoon.
The collision happened on Woods Chapel Road near Kingsridge Drive in Blue Springs.
Police said a 20-year-old driver of an SUV was seen passing cars in the funeral procession and then hit the funeral escort, who was trying to control traffic.
"Apparently the driver that was involved was leapfrogging -- witnesses say leapfrogging other cars in the procession," Detective Jeremy Dickstein said.
Steven Keith, 51, has life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. His employer said Keith is in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
Witnesses told KMBC's Chris Nagus that the SUV driver appeared to be upset.
"He was pretty well shaken up. It bothered him, you could tell," witness Ted Giefer said.
"He actually used my phone to call his wife -- he was rather (shaken)," witness Evelyn Loughran said.
Police said they believe the SUV driver had been drinking alcohol. He was taken into custody.
A motorcyclist who was escorting a funeral procession was hit by an SUV Wednesday afternoon.
The collision happened on Woods Chapel Road near Kingsridge Drive in Blue Springs.
Police said a 20-year-old driver of an SUV was seen passing cars in the funeral procession and then hit the funeral escort, who was trying to control traffic.
"Apparently the driver that was involved was leapfrogging -- witnesses say leapfrogging other cars in the procession," Detective Jeremy Dickstein said.
Steven Keith, 51, has life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. His employer said Keith is in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
Witnesses told KMBC's Chris Nagus that the SUV driver appeared to be upset.
"He was pretty well shaken up. It bothered him, you could tell," witness Ted Giefer said.
"He actually used my phone to call his wife -- he was rather (shaken)," witness Evelyn Loughran said.
Police said they believe the SUV driver had been drinking alcohol. He was taken into custody.
A Dangerous Business
Keith works for Professional Escorts, a company that is hired by funeral homes to try to keep processions safe.
The manager told KMBC that the business is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially in urban areas where drivers are more impatient.
"If you go outside of Kansas City into small towns, they will go into the ditch to get out of your way. If you're in Kansas City, it's more likely they will run over you to get you out of the way," said Roy Timberman with Professional Escorts.
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