For Immediate Release
July 13, 2018
An Independence man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal vehicular crash in February near Buckner, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Mathew W. Hepting, dob: 9/15/1993, faces Involuntary Manslaughter 1st Degree and two counts of Driving While Intoxicated.*
According to court records, Hepting was driving the vehicle early Feb. 7, 2018, in the area of Blue Mills Road and Buckner Tarnsey. One victim, Juanita H. Hanna, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, while two other passengers were injured. Police found the vehicle skidded more than 250 feet off the road sand struck a tree. Hepting was injured and was life-flighted to Research Medical Center. The victims told police that Hepting was driving at excessive speeds. One observed the speedometer over 100 mph. A toxicology report on the defendant showed the presence of amphetamines, Benzodiazepines and Cannabinoids. A reconstruction of the crash revealed that speed was a large factor in the crash's cause.
Prosecutors requested a bond of $100,000/10 percent.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile: (816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.