Kearney, MO — A tragic school bus crash on July 3rd resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others. The crash occurred at approximately 3:05 PM on MO-92 at County Highway A just west of Kearney. The school bus from Gallatin was transporting students back from a Future Business Leaders of America conference.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash involved four vehicles. The chain of events began as a 2012 Ford Fusion, driven by 18-year-old Alex Morse of Kearney, was stopped on MO-92 westbound, preparing to turn when a 2014 Toyota Scion, driven by 26-year-old Delmy Vasquez Perez of Kansas City, KS, failed to yield and rear-ended Morse’s Fusion. Perez’s vehicle then crossed into oncoming traffic, striking the side of the eastbound school bus which then caused her vehicle to spin around and strike a westbound 2023 Ford Explorer driven by 41-year-old Kenneth Holmberg of Smithville, MO.
Two female passengers of the Toyota Scion, 32-year-old Griselda Rodriguez Apolinar and 35-year-old Iris Vallares Barahona, both from Kansas City, MO, were fatally injured.
Two students from Gallatin on the school bus were listed with minor injuries and were transported to Liberty Hospital for treatment. The driver of the school bus and other vehicle drivers involved in the crash were treated for minor injuries and released.
The incident remains under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, with assistance from multiple local agencies.
Note: In an earlier version of this story, we incorrectly reported that Alex Morse caused the accident. We apologize for this error and any distress it may have caused to the families involved. Corrections were made on July 8, 2024 at 10:59 AM.
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