Kansas City, KS (May 24, 2026) – Two people suffered serious injuries following a chain-reaction crash involving five vehicles on Friday evening on Interstate 35 near Antioch Road.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just after 6:25 p.m. on May 22 when traffic slowed ahead in the northbound lanes. Investigators said a 26-year-old driver of a Ram 5500 failed to slow down and struck a Lexus SUV, triggering a multi-vehicle pileup.
Officials confirmed that Tyler Thomas, 33, and Claudia Mojarrango, 58, sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Three other drivers involved reported minor or no injuries. Troopers said all five drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the chain-reaction collision. Our thoughts go out to those injured in the incident and their families.
Why Chain-Reaction Crashes Happen in Heavy Traffic
Multi-vehicle pileups often occur when traffic slows suddenly and drivers do not have enough distance to stop safely. Even a brief delay in braking can trigger a series of rear-end impacts.
Investigators typically review speed, following distance, and traffic flow patterns when reconstructing these crashes. In multi-vehicle incidents, one initial impact can set off a chain reaction involving several cars in a short period.
Highway congestion can increase risk because vehicles are traveling closely together with limited space to react. Evidence such as vehicle positioning and damage patterns helps determine how the sequence of impacts unfolded.
