Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Feb. 15, 2025) – Authorities investigating the high-speed crash that sent a vehicle plummeting through the roof of the Clay-Ray Veterans Association early Saturday morning have released new details about the incident. Excelsior Springs Police Lieutenant Ryan Dowdy confirmed that the driver, a 22-year-old male whose name has not yet been released, is a registered sex offender from Kansas and had two 13-year-old girls in the car with him at the time of the crash.
According to Dowdy, ESPD Officers first spotted the vehicle—a gray, late-model Volkswagen Jetta—around 1:30 a.m. as it traveled westbound on 10 Highway near Pour Boy’s in downtown Excelsior Springs. Officers noted that the vehicle’s temporary tag did not match the registered car, prompting them to follow from a distance. As the driver approached the McCleary Road intersection near QuikTrip, he began making abrupt lane changes and erratic movements. Moments later, he made two sudden left turns and began heading eastbound back into Excelsior Springs. At this point, ESPD activated their emergency lights in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated, reaching speeds estimated at over 100 mph down 10 Highway/Kearney Road.
As previously reported, the chase ended in a catastrophic crash when the vehicle launched off a bluff near Linwood Avenue and Wildwood Street, traveling more than 150 feet through the air. The car cleared both St. Louis Avenue and a fence before crashing into the Veterans Association building.
“All three individuals suffered serious injuries,” Dowdy said. “One of the girls had to undergo surgery, but thankfully, at this time, none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening.”
Investigators determined that the driver was a registered sex offender from Kansas, while his two passengers were teenage girls, one from the Liberty area and the other from rural Ray County. Authorities are still working to understand the nature of their relationship and where they were headed. Detectives are coordinating with the girls’ families to gather more information.
In addition to potential child endangerment charges related to the crash, police are investigating whether any criminal sexual activity occurred before the pursuit.
Under Missouri’s Valentine’s Law, enacted in 2024, all police pursuits are classified as felonies, regardless of the initial reason for the traffic stop. The law was enacted to deter drivers from fleeing law enforcement and to reduce the number of high-speed chases that often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Under the law, additional charges can be applied if the pursuit leads to injuries, property damage, or other criminal offenses. In this case, the driver involved in the Excelsior Springs crash will most likely face enhanced penalties due to the severity of the incident and the presence of two minors in the vehicle.
At the time of this interview, detectives were continuing to gather evidence, including details about the driver’s sex offender status in Kansas and potential restrictions he may have violated. His identity is expected to be released once charges are formally filed.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the driver or his relationship with the girls to contact the Excelsior Springs Police Department at (816)630-2000. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected in the coming days.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
