TRAGIC LOSS ON I-70: 14-Year-Old Mario Myers Struck and Killed After Being Reported Missing
KANSAS CITY, MO — June 19, 2025 — A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in the early morning hours of Thursday as a young boy’s life was cut short on Interstate 70. Fourteen-year-old Mario Myers, who had been reported missing and endangered just hours earlier, was struck and killed while standing or walking along the interstate.
The incident occurred on the eastbound lanes of I-70 at 31st Street on the Manchester Bridge, shortly before dawn. According to Kansas City police, a vehicle traveling eastbound struck Myers around 4:30 a.m. The driver immediately stopped, remained at the scene, and is fully cooperating with the investigation. Authorities have not indicated that impairment or reckless driving were involved on the part of the motorist.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed that Mario was officially listed as missing around 3:00 a.m.—only about 90 minutes before the fatal collision. The circumstances leading up to his presence on the interstate remain unclear, and investigators are working to piece together a timeline of events from the time he was last seen until the tragic incident.
Immediate Traffic Impact
The crash prompted a full closure of I-70 eastbound at 31st Street, with traffic diverted away from the area during the peak of the morning commute. The eastbound lanes were closed from approximately 4:30 a.m. and remained shut down until just before 7:00 a.m. to allow for a thorough investigation and to clear the scene. Meanwhile, westbound lanes remained open and unaffected, but drivers across the area were asked to seek alternate routes and avoid the bridge altogether.
Community Mourning and Unanswered Questions
News of Mario’s death has rocked the local community, particularly because the teen had been declared missing and endangered such a short time before his passing. Families, friends, and classmates are now left in deep sorrow and shock, grappling with a painful mix of grief and confusion.
“This is an unimaginable loss. No parent should ever have to wake up to a phone call like this,” said one family friend. “Mario was a sweet, quiet soul. The whole community is just stunned.”
Investigators are urging anyone with information about Mario’s whereabouts or actions between 3:00 and 4:30 a.m. to come forward. They are particularly interested in any surveillance footage or witness accounts that may help explain how he came to be on the busy interstate.
Support and Resources
As the community mourns, grief counselors and support staff are being made available at local schools and community centers to help students and families cope with the loss. The incident also shines a sobering light on the importance of mental health support and intervention for vulnerable youth.
Authorities have not released further details about the investigation or any prior circumstances that might have contributed to Mario’s disappearance earlier that morning.
A Community Left Seeking Healing
This heartbreaking incident has not only closed roads—it has broken hearts. The death of Mario Myers is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgency with which we must care for and protect our young people. As Kansas City slowly returns to routine traffic flows, the weight of this loss will linger far longer.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Kansas City Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit or the Crime Stoppers hotline. Your tip could help bring clarity to a family living with unanswerable questions.
Rest in peace, Mario Myers. You are gone too soon, and you will not be forgotten.
