KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges for his involvement in a fatal crash involving street racing last year.
Cortez A. Hamilton faces two counts of 1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. If convicted, he could face between six to 20 years in prison.
According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the intersection of Carondelet Drive and Wornall Road on a reported injury crash on Dec. 30, 2024. Both occupants of a Honda HRV identified as 91-year-old Verne Zugenbuhler and 72-year-old Diane Zugenbuhler, were pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant identified as Hamilton driving a black Chrysler involved in the crash was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Witnesses say they saw the Chrysler and a silver vehicle racing each other at a high rate of speed on Wornall Road before the crash. As the Honda HRV was making a left-hand turn from Wornall Road onto Carondelet Drive, the Chrysler struck the front passenger corner, redirecting it southbound and causing it to begin rotating counterclockwise. The Chrysler continued in a southwest direction and collided with a wooden utility pole where it came to its final resting spot. The silver vehicle was not impacted in the crash and continued south on Wornall Road.
Prior to the collision, Hamilton's vehicle was traveling at a recorded speed of 104 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone. At impact, Hamilton was traveling 79 miles per hour.
A blood test revealed Hamilton was operating his vehicle while under the influence of Cannabinoids. Under a new municipal law, drivers participating in illegal street racing or side shows could face fines of up to $1,000 and their vehicles could be impounded.