That’s the headline over at Kansas City’s KCTV5. “Six children are without a mother after a violent crash that left the rest of the family injured,” they report. “It was caused when the family inadvertently got caught up in the middle of a rolling gun battle between two other cars. Police said the victim that died has been identified as 30-year-old Mariana Hernandez–Gonzales of Kansas City. Hernandez–Gonzales’ husband, Julio, happened to be driving with the family as passengers when they got caught up in the gunfire. Police say one of the two cars shooting at each other ran a red light and T-boned Hernandez–Gonzales’ side of the SUV, causing them to crash.” A horrifying incident, one the antis will decry as a firearms-related fatality, but . . .
Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte said Hernandez–Gonzales was thrown from the front passenger’s seat because of how violent the impact was. Debris, including a car bumper, a soccer ball and children’s shoes, littered the roadway. A car even knocked down a traffic light . . .
The six children – four boys and two girls ranging in age from one and a half to 10 years old – were rushed to Children’s Mercy Hospital with critical injuries. The youngest boy had surgery Wednesday for internal injuries. Three of the children remained in critical condition the following day, but doctors are hopeful they will all recover.
Sounds to me like Mrs. Hernandez-Gonzales wasn’t wearing her seat belt. Chances are her children were similarly unprotected. I’m not blaming them, but it’s worth noting that you’re far more likely to die in a car accident than a “rolling gun battle” or other firearms-related incident. Unless you’re a gang-banger or suicidal. But that’s another story.
Kansas City police said people in the car that T-boned Hernandez-Gonzales’ then carjacked someone at the scene and sped off. Police gave chase, which made its way into Kansas City, KS. The pursuit ended at East 18th Street and Jackson Avenue about 45 minutes later when police deployed a tire deflation device. One person was taken into custody . . .
Police officials said this week that drive-by shootings this year are up about a fourth over those reported last year.