Deadly hit and run crashes on the rise in Missouri
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Data from AAA shows nearly one in three pedestrian traffic deaths in Missouri involves a hit-and-run driver.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, nearly 7% of all fatal crashes in 2023 involved a hit-and-run.
In 2014, there were 3.2% of fatal crashes in Missouri involved a hit-and-run driver.
AAA spokesperson Carly McKinnis said deadly hit-and-run crashes have been trending upward for a decade.
“There were some ups and downs throughout this, but the overall trend is upward, and that is something everyone needs to be aware of. Education, hopefully among drivers, law enforcement and pedestrians, might help get the word out to let people know to be more aware of their surroundings,” she said.
In 2025, there were 177 hit-and-run cases in St. Joseph, a slight increase from previous years.
According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 15% of all police-reported crashes in the U.S. in 2023 involved a driver who fled the scene.
St. Joseph Police Department Sgt. Patrick Zeamer said the leading cause of hit-and-run is due to drivers not having a driver's license or not having insurance.
“They are afraid to get in more trouble than just sitting there and taking care of the issue,” he said.
Zeamer said hit-and-run cases are difficult at times because lack of witnesses.
“We might not have cameras,” he said. “You came out of your house, and you found that your car was hit at 2 a.m., and none of your neighbors have doorbell cameras, or nobody in your neighborhood saw anything.”
Pedestrians are most at risk when it comes to hit-and-run crashes. According to AAA, 440 people were killed in Missouri hit-and-run crashes between 2014 and 2023, and more than half were pedestrians.
McKinnis said when someone is suffering a critical injury from getting hit by a car seconds matter.
“If the only person who saw what happened to you takes off and doesn’t call for help, that can quickly turn into a life-or-death situation,” she said.
McKinnis said there is a 75% of hit-and-run crashes happening between the hours of 6 p.m. and 1 a.m.
“That kind of tells us that people are maybe aren't paying attention, or they are not looking in their surroundings,” he said. “You have to pay extra attention and be extra vigilant, especially in those darker hours.”
Zeamer said if you witness a hit-and-run, give the best description of the vehicle.
“A license plate is very helpful. That’s a good starting point for us if you get a license plate. If you have door cameras, try to make sure you save that take a picture of it on your phone or save that video on your camera. We will use that to follow up.
Missouri law states drivers who leave the scene of a crash in which a death has occurred could face upto 10 years in prison.
