Ricky Monroe Obituary, Death; – A man from Lenexa, Kansas, has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) resulting in the death of another individual following a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 70 that occurred on Tuesday.
Javier Garcia-Arellano faces charges related to the incident that claimed the life of a 64-year-old man and caused injuries to several others, according to court records. Police from Independence, Missouri, responded to the scene on westbound I-70 near Noland Road at approximately 12:30 a.m. Investigators found that Garcia-Arellano was operating a Toyota Camry in the wrong direction, traveling east in the westbound lane, when it collided head-on with a Kia Optima.
The driver of the Kia, identified as Ricky Monroe, aged 64, from Blue Springs, Missouri, succumbed to his injuries. Following the initial collision, the Toyota struck a semi-truck, which subsequently pushed it into the path of a Honda Accord. The semi-truck driver sustained injuries to his hands and arms but opted not to seek medical attention. The driver of the Honda was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
Garcia-Arellano sustained significant injuries to his leg and was also taken to the hospital for care. Investigators reported finding multiple open containers of alcohol within Garcia-Arellano’s vehicle, and officers noted the smell of alcohol on his person.
After being admitted to the ICU, Garcia-Arellano began to respond to inquiries from law enforcement, stating that he had no recollection of the crash. He disclosed that he had consumed between 12 to 14 alcoholic beverages from 6 p.m. to midnight prior to the incident and acknowledged being under the influence of alcohol.
Additionally, court documents indicate that Garcia-Arellano does not possess a valid driver’s license and was previously arrested for DWI in May 2023
