Two Hurt, One Dead In Monday Morning Accident

Two listening area residents escaped with minor injuries but an Independence man is dead after a two vehicle crash in Clay County Monday morning.

According to troop A of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39-year-old Independence, Missouri resident Joseph L. Knife was driving a 2017 Jeep at the intersection of U.S. 69 and Rhodus road in Clay County at 6:45 A.M. Monday when he failed to yield and struck the right side of a 1997 Chevrolet being driven by 33-year-old Orrick resident Kenneth T. Werle.

Following the collision both vehicles traveled off the right side of the roadway and came to rest.

Knife, who was reportedly wearing a seat belt, was taken to Liberty Hospital were he was pronounced dead at 8:08 A.M.

Neither Werle nor his passenger, 22-year-old Lawson resident Richard D. Almond, were wearing seat belts but both escaped with just minor injuries. Both individuals were taken to Liberty Hospital for treatment of their injuries, Werle by private vehicle and Almond by Excelsior Springs EMS.