Three die in wrong-way crash on I-29

By NewsPress Now

Three people died and several others were injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred just after midnight Thursday on Interstate-29.

The crash occurred just south of the Dearborn exit when a 2017 Ford Edge was traveling north in the southbound lanes. The Edge struck a 2007 Honda Odyssey at the 29.4 mile marker in Platte County. The Odyssey ran off the right side of the highway and struck a concrete barrier.

The patrol report listed the driver of the Ford Edge as Kyle Mendez. The report did not list any passengers in that vehicle.

Joel Similien, 55, was the driver of the Oddyssey and died in the crash. Sheyla Similien, 54, and Michelet Metellus, 52, who were both passengers in Similien’s vehicle, also died.

Three other passengers in the Odyssey, all listed as being from Kansas City, received various injuries.

Vladimyr Mercier, 33, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Jacnert Lubin, 37, suffered serious injuries and was taken to North Kansas City Hospital.

Franckel Francois, 54, also received moderate injuries and was also transported to North Kansas City Hospital.

Herilert Bellot, age listed as unknown, did not suffer any injuries but was also transported to North Kansas City Hospital.

The patrol report said that most occupants of the Edge were wearing seatbelts, except for Mercier and Metellus.