Community Demands Stricter Hit-and-Run Laws After Tragic Accident in Kansas City

Kansas City: A Call for Change After a Heart-Wrenching Hit-and-Run

In Kansas City, the community is coming to terms with a shocking hit-and-run incident that has left a family reeling and raised urgent questions about safety on the roads. On the morning of September 8, a speeding driver ran a red light on 71 Highway, colliding with a car carrying a father and his three children as they were making a right turn off 59th Street. Tragically, the driver fled the scene, leaving the family to face the aftermath alone.

Gina Laury, the mother of the children involved, shared the harrowing details of the crash. Her eight-year-old daughter, Ayanna, emerged with shards of glass in her hair, while her nine-year-old son, Aiyden, was left in critical condition and has been on life support since September 11 after being resuscitated at the scene. Meanwhile, the couple’s eldest son, who is 13 years old, suffered a broken neck.

A Mother’s Heartache

“I’m upset because you left my baby for dead,” Gina said, expressing the profound pain every parent fears. “My heart dropped, my stomach sank, I didn’t know what I was walking into.” Alongside his siblings, their father also sustained serious injuries, including a concussion and a fracture in his face.

As Gina continues to support her children through their recovery, Aiyden’s injuries have been particularly severe. “His gallbladder was severed, they had to remove that. He was non-responsive at the scene; they had to cut his liver, and sadly, he lost half of it,” she explained with a heavy heart. Recently, he was also scheduled for a kidney removal, underscoring just how life-altering this incident has been for their family.

A Call for Change

Gina expresses her gratitude that her children are alive but insists that no mother should witness their child endure such pain. “Mama, mama,” her son cried when regaining consciousness, a moment that shattered her heart. “I want to trade places with my baby,” she reflected.

In light of this traumatic experience, Gina is calling for a shift in policies surrounding hit-and-run incidents. Current state laws regarding such offenses, which haven’t been updated since 2017, allow for a maximum of only four years in prison for a felony hit-and-run. “That’s not fair because we have more than four years of recovery,” she argues passionately.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, there were 137 hit-and-run incidents recorded in 2023, compared to 156 in 2022, all occurring on the notorious 71 Highway. In light of this alarming trend, Gina believes that Kansas City is becoming an unsafe environment for families. “If the leaders won’t step up, I’ll do whatever I can to bring about change,” she stated firmly.

Aiyden’s Law: A Vision for the Future

With her son’s health hanging in the balance, Gina aims to push for stronger hit-and-run laws. If current laws can’t be revised, she is determined to advocate for a new one, tentatively named ‘Aiyden’s Law.’ This initiative represents Gina’s desire not just to fight for her son, but to protect other children in the community.

To address the alarming rates of speeding and red-light violations, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has shared plans to reinstall red-light cameras along 71 Highway. However, the outcome of this initiative won’t be known until October, and many in the community are anxious for change.

As Aiyden continues on his long road to recovery, Gina Laury remains a voice for reform, determined that the suffering of her family will not be in vain. If you wish to support this family during their challenging time with medical expenses, consider contributing to their cause.