King City R-I gives statement, resources following deadly UTV crash involving a student

GENTRY COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) -- The King City R-I School District is mourning one its students after a 14-year-old girl died in a UTV crash in Gentry County Sunday night.

Another 14-year-old girl sustained minor injuries in the crash as well.

"Our entire community is mourning this devastating loss..." King City Superintendent Danny Johnson shared in a Facebook statement. "This is a devastating time for our entire community. Out of respect for the family and their privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time."

The district said counselors and support staff will be available to help students and staff process the loss.

"We encourage families to speak with their children and to reach out if additional support is needed," said Johnson.

The crash occurred around 9:30 p.m. Sunday on a private property on U.S. Highway 48, just one mile west of King City, Missouri.

A 2022 Polaris Ranger XP with the two 14-year-old girls riding on it, was traveling south in a field, when the driver of the vehicle attempted to turn east. As it was maneuvering, the vehicle tipped over on its passenger side.

The occupant of the UTV was partially ejected, and the vehicle came to rest on its passenger side facing south.

The occupant, who sustained serious injuries at the scene, was transported by Grand River Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care and then transported by Life Flight to Children's Mercy.

The driver was checked out and treated at the scene.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol Crash Report, neither the driver or occupant were wearing a safety device.

MSHP said the occupant died at Children's Mercy at 4:42 a.m. Monday morning. She was pronounced dead by Dr. Charles N. Spear at Children's Mercy Hospital.

Next of Kin was notified.