Excelsior Springs Hit-and-Run Accident Leaves One Person in Critical Condition, Suspect Still At Large

September 11, 2023 – A severe hit-and-run collision Monday morning near the intersection of US 69 Hwy and Tracy Ave left one person in critical condition and another with minor injuries. Local authorities are still searching for the suspect who fled his overturned vehicle on foot.

According to an Excelsior Springs Police Department (ESPD) report, the incident occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. Witnesses say a gray Chevrolet HHR failed to stop at the traffic light striking the rear-end of a stationary gray Acura sedan at the intersection. The force of the impact caused the Chevy HHR to overturn.

The driver of the Acura, identified as Delbert “Del” Hennings, sustained minor injuries while the female passenger in the Chevy HHR, Cynthia Smith, was in critical condition and has been transported to an area hospital.

A witness at the scene told authorities that she saw a white male with a “scruffy beard,” wearing a gray shirt and dark shorts, exit the overturned vehicle and begin walking westbound on Tracy Ave toward Lynn Rd. She reportedly called out to the man, who replied, “That’s my aunt,” as he fled the scene.

Excelsior Springs Police Chief Gregory Dull said, “We have identified a suspect but he is not in custody yet. Because the injured female passenger is in critical condition and not able to give a statement it may be a while before we can confirm the identity of the driver.”

As the investigation continues, it’s clear that Mr. Hennings was relatively lucky to walk away with just minor injuries. The timing of the accident could have resulted in a much graver situation; if the collision had happened during peak traffic hours, particularly given the nearby location of the local high school, the consequences could have been substantially worse.

The Excelsior Citizen will provide updates to this story as they become available.