Dangerous high-speed chase through Independence leads to multiple charges

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - A dangerous high-speed chase through Independence led to multiple charges filed against a man who crashed into an innocent driver.

Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Friday, May 23, indicate that Julian Byrd, 21, of Kansas City, has been charged in connection with a dangerous high-speed chase.

A probable cause statement filed by the Independence Police Department revealed that around 1:25 p.m. on Thursday, law enforcement officials spotted a Kia Forte with an obstructed license plate. When they attempted to stop the driver, later identified as Byrd, he sped up and attempted to outrun the marked patrol vehicles.

Law enforcement officials noted that Byrd led them on a chase from Hardy Ave. and 39th St. to westbound I-70 and Manchester Ave. that reached speeds of nearly 110 mph. Byrd sped through several construction zones and failed to obey any traffic signals.

Investigators indicated that at times, Byrd drove into oncoming traffic in an attempt to shake law enforcement officials. He also performed an illegal U-turn as he traveled the wrong way up the ramp from westbound I-70 to Manchester Ave.

Shortly after Byrd got into the westbound lanes of I-70 headed east, he collided with an oncoming Chevrolet Silverado. After the crash, Byrd bailed from the car and ran through a nearby field into a wooded area where he tried to hide. He was taken into custody shortly after without further incident.

While the individual in the pickup truck escaped the crash uninjured, investigators said Byrd caused hundreds of dollars in damage. Byrd told law enforcement officials he knew they were trying to stop him, but a female enger had a warrant out for her arrest.

During the investigation, law enforcement officials did not mention a second individual present in the suspect vehicle. They also found Byrd’s license had been suspended. As of Tuesday afternoon, Byrd remains behind bars on a $30,000 bond.

As a result, Byrd has been charged with aggravated fleeing a stop and leaving the scene of an accident. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 11 years behind bars and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $20,000.

A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, with a preliminary hearing expected at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. No further information has been released.

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