GRANDVIEW, Mo. – One woman is dead and another in critical condition after a tragic accident Thursday in Grandview.
According to the Grandview Police Department, officers were called to Grandview Auto Wash, 12204 Blue Ridge Boulevard, around 4 p.m.
When they arrived to the drive-through car wash, which is owned by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, they discovered a sport utility vehicle had lost control outside the wipe-down area and struck two women who were sitting on a bench waiting for their cars to be cleaned.
One of the women, 40-year-old Rosland Watson of Kansas City, Mo., was pronounced dead upon arrival to an area hospital.
The other, a 66-year-old Kansas City woman, suffered a broken leg in four places and was listed Friday in stable condition.
Police say the driver of the SUV was pulling forward when it was preparing to leave and accelerated, “rapidly hitting the curb.” Investigators say the driver, who has been cooperative with the investigation, may have had his gas pedal stick or some other sort of malfunction.
"From what witnesses are saying, it all happened so... just immediate, with no warning. Especially since they were sitting down, I don't think they may have even known what was coming or any idea what was happening," said Sgt. Joe McKinstry of the Grandview Police Department.
The driver is a 66-year-old man. There is no word yet on charges, although police say he is cooperating fully and is pretty distraught.
The car wash is owned by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. Through a spokesman, he said it is a tragic situation for all the families involved.
The accident remains under investigation.
