Early Sunday morning collision happened along Interstate 29
ST. LOUIS, MO, (November 17, 2024) - Two 18-year-olds from Kearney, Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, died in a crash on Interstate 29 in Missouri after a multi-state chase that started in Iowa. The incident occurred early Sunday morning.
Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham tragically lost their lives early Sunday when their vehicle was struck by a car involved in a multi-state police chase.
The pursuit began in Hamburg, Iowa, when a woman reported a domestic assault and kidnapping involving a 1-year-old child. The suspect, a 29-year-old man from Bellevue, Nebraska, fled from Nebraska law enforcement in a 2023 Kia Sorento and entered Iowa. The chase, initially conducted by the Fremont County Sheriff's Office and later joined by the Iowa State Patrol, continued into Missouri.
The crash happened at milepost 123 on Interstate 29, north of Watson, Missouri. The Kia Sorento rammed into the front of a 2013 Ford Focus traveling north on the interstate.
Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, who were in the Ford Focus along with Aubrey Yeates, were severely impacted. Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham were pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the crash.
Aubrey Yeates survived and is recovering in a Nebraska hospital.
The suspect also died in the crash. Authorities managed to rescue the 1-year-old child.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION
“It is imperative to come to a determination of the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire expert witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process,” said Candice Bond, a managing partner with Bond Legal.
She noted that, in cases such as this, an independent investigation is crucial to preserve evidence.
“In addition to a police report, an attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash,” said Bond. “A lawyer has the resources to hire expert witnesses, conduct drivers’ background checks, locate witnesses to the crash and review applicable insurance coverage. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help guide an injury victim through what can be a complicated process.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of the victims could pursue a wrongful death claim. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond.
“We understand the hardships that families face, and it's crucial to protect their rights. A wrongful death lawyer will keep abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are safeguarded."
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).