Victims in double-fatality crash identified

Police said they believe speeding and alcohol were factors in a one-vehicle accident that killed two persons early today in Independence. The driver, Michael R. Butler, 20, and a passenger, Rachelle L. Craig, 24, both of Independence, were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither was wearing a seatbelt. A second passenger, Dyke A. Hoskam, 20, of Buckner, was able to exit the vehicle after it caught on fire. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said. According to investigators, a 2006 Ford pickup driven by Butler was westbound on Bundshu Road about 3:55 a.m. when it left the roadway near Powell Road and struck a tree. | Donald Bradley, dbradley@kcstar.com See The Kansas City Star on Thursday for more community news. Join the discussion Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is... [read full story]