KANSAS CITY, MO — The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released a photo of a vehicle investigators want to find after a deadly hit-and-run crash in Raytown. The crash happened Tuesday night and left a 5-year-old girl dead, according to authorities.
Investigators say they are looking for what appears to be a gray Ram 1500, possibly a model from 2009 through 2018. The crash occurred around 9 p.m. on East 87th Street.
The child was identified in a GoFundMe started by her aunt as Ka’Una Simone Reed. Troopers are asking anyone with information to contact Troop A.
Investigators focus on a gray Ram 1500
Authorities have not publicly identified a driver, but they say the truck in the photo is believed to be connected to the fatal pedestrian crash. The vehicle is described as a gray Ram 1500, and investigators said it could be from the 2009 to 2018 model years.
The image was shared by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Thursday as part of the effort to track down the vehicle and anyone who may know where it is. In hit-and-run cases, vehicle photos and model estimates can become important clues when witnesses are limited or a driver leaves the scene quickly.
Officials did not say whether the truck has visible damage or what evidence led them to release the image. They are instead relying on the public to help identify the vehicle and person behind the wheel.
Crash happened on East 87th Street around 9 p.m.
The deadly collision took place in Raytown on East 87th Street at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities said a pedestrian was struck in the crash, but they have not provided additional details about the circumstances immediately before impact.
Because the incident remains under investigation, officials have not publicly said how fast the vehicle was traveling, whether the child was walking alone, or what conditions may have contributed to the collision. The focus so far has remained on locating the suspect vehicle.
Raytown sits just east of Kansas City and is part of the broader metro area where traffic crashes can quickly draw both local police and state investigators into the same case.
Five year old victim identified by family fundraiser
The girl who died was identified by family members in a GoFundMe campaign as Ka’Una Simone Reed. The online fundraiser was started by her aunt following the crash.
Authorities did not immediately release the child’s name in their own statement, but the family fundraiser has helped put a name to the victim as the community reacts to the loss. The crash has drawn attention because of the age of the child and the fact that it is being investigated as a hit-and-run.
No further details about the child’s family, funeral plans or any memorial efforts were included in the public update from investigators.
Troop A asks the public for information
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is directing tips to Troop A at 816-622-0800. Investigators want anyone who may have seen the truck, knows who owns it or can help identify its location to get in touch.
Public assistance often becomes essential in cases like this, especially when investigators are trying to connect a vehicle to a fatal crash scene. A photo alone may not be enough to identify a truck, but even a small detail from a witness can help narrow the search.
The agency has not announced any arrests or charges tied to the case. For now, the priority remains finding the vehicle and learning who was driving it when the child was struck.
How witnesses can send anonymous tips
People who want to share information without giving their name can contact Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers. The hotline number is 816-474-TIPS, or 8477.
Tips can also be submitted online or through the free P3Tips mobile app at P3Tips.com. Crime Stoppers says some tips may qualify for a cash reward, depending on the information provided.
Investigators also noted that people can contact their local police department directly if they are comfortable doing so. For families and neighbors shaken by the crash, the case is now a search for answers as much as it is a search for the truck.
