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GoogleAccording to KHP, Parker Lea McKenney, 15, was driving a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria northbound on 240th Street when she was unable to maneuver an eastward curve in the road. The vehicle traveled off the road to the north into the ditch and struck a fence, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times through trees before coming to a rest on its top facing northwest approximately 71 feet from the road.
McKenney was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.
KHP Trooper John Burns said McKenney's ejection from the vehicle presented a challenge to those who responded to the accident.
"Due to the terain and the fact that it was dark, they had to look for her," Burns said.
After being transported to Mercy Health Center, McKenney was pronounced dead at 11:04 p.m.
Burns said a speed analysis has not been completed making it difficult to determine whether the vehicle was traveling above the speed limit.
Kelsey Michelle Middleton, 15, and Alec Esteban Ramirez, 18, were passengers and both sustained injuries.
According to Burns, Middleton was wearing a seat belt and was taken to Mercy Health Center where she was treated for minor injuries then released. Burns added Ramirez was not wearing a seat belt and was life flighted to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. The severity of Ramirez's injuries is not known at this time.
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What a horribly sad thing to happen. Parker had a lot of potential...our prayers go out to the families of all involved. God bless her family.
So sad and your thoughts and prayers are with all of the familys involved. We (people that live on 240th) have tried for years to get the Sheriff Office and the county commissioners to do something about the way the people drive on 240th. We have quit walking on 240th due to the fact that the speed limit to 30 and people drive 60-65 MPH.
Here's a good question. Why was she driving at 10 at night on a restricted license. I know for a fact she took drivers ed in December. Why do people have to learn lessons the hard way? She should never have been driving at night with people in the vehicle, its the law.
This is definately a situation that is of loss cause. She was such a beautiful young teen, taken way too early in deed. everything has its reasons though. now she is dancing in heaven watching over us all. One of God's beautiful angels.
It's just too bad. I heard speed was a factor. 100+. I can't do anything but ask myself WHY?! why the ignorance, but yet. like said before she was young (15). It's a typical young teen mistake that cost her life, and could have others. my prayers are with the family. I couldn't image the fear and terror they are going through. Also, i believe she had a boyfriend as well? my heart goes out to him also. It's going to be hard to move on, and there will ALWAYS be an empty spot their hearts for her. Thats why we all need to live through her and for her. Through pictures, sounds, smells, and memories. She is gone physically, but never mentally. She will always be with us. Watching us, keeping us all safe.
RIP Parker. You were loved, cherished, and a blessing in everyones eyes. I guess my message to you was thank you for the good times, wonderful laughs, and awesome smiles. You were amazing...and ALWAYS will be. <3 RIP
what does it matter the how & why. maybe she was driving when she shouldn't have been, maybe she was driving too fast & maybe she wasn't wearing her seatbelt. the fact remains the same - her mother & father will be burying her soon, end of story. our thoughts,energy & prayers should be directed to her family & friends & helping them to survive this horrible, horrible tragedy.
The hows and the whys do matter because its time for these things to stop happening! Why are underage drivers allowed to drive in this area without consequences? I've never lived anywhere else that allows kids of 14 and 15 years of age out driving, and everyone looks the other way. Also, when there are accidents involving these illegal drivers, why do the insurance companies cover them? I'm telling you....fine the parents/kids for driving on restricted licenses, and increase insurance premiums when ticketed. Then, when they cause damage, don't cover them. This will curb parents having to bury their children, and keep the injuries to a minimum. This accident was completely avoidable. As much as I love this family, and my heart goes out to them, she had no business driving at that time of night with others in the car, and going that fast.
Seriously people! I grew up in Fort Scott and happen to be very close to this family! I am not sure why anyone of you would think about displaying this on here! The members of Parker's family are struggling daily to go on with their lives wihout Parker, and all people can do is damn her for driving at 15, question her parents why, and not allow this family to greive over the loss! As I said before, I grew up in Fort Scott, and remember driving at 15. I am sure that there are some questions that need to be answered, but only Parker, God, and her parents know why she was driving on that very night that took her life! I could only wish that people would find something better to do than judge others for things that they do! A small community has lost another child, for goodness sakes, have enough dignity to let her family take this time to grieve.
Everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect.
Well said "please" .....it doesn't matter that she was young. what matters is IT HAPPENED. and it CHANGES everything...she was at fault...it was her mistake...and she learned...but she will always be loved and missed...and god bless this family...lets pray for them to be strong and to remember ...and always keep her in our hearts...FOREVER.
we cant change the events or the people or location..what we can do is learn from this...and move on..it will be hard, and we will NEVER forget..we have to make the best of this situation, whether we beat ourselves up about it or not. we CANT change the past as much as all of us want to . my heart goes out to the family, the teens involved and their families. and her boyfriend...which i heard she did have one? i couldnt' imagine the pain he is feeling as well. god bless everyone...and shame on you for critiqueing the situation. you wouldnt be doing it if it were your situation and your child. everyone makes mistakes...we are human.
rip parker lea <3
Heaven forbid any other family or loved ones have to go through this! I've also known and loved this family for a long time! My heart breaks for them. Yes, it was a mistake....a very costly one! They will be grieving for the rest of their lives. How many more of our kids are we going to bury just because they've always driven illegally in this community? Just because so many law enforcement officers, officials, parents, and leaders in the community have turned a blind eye to it? Just because its always been this way, doesn't mean it needs to stay this way. Its time to wake up and prevent this from happening again, and enforce the law. Children are not old enough to make responsible decisions behind the wheel. That's why its a LAW! They need more experience, and they need to have a more mature thought process before you give them the keys to a 2000 lb. toy! I'm sooo sorry for this family, but its time to make some changes, and learn from this. No one is saying anything can be changed with this situation, but maybe something can change BECAUSE of this situation. Don't let her death be in vain. Let us learn from it, and make changes in her honor.
I just want to say that I am so sorry for your loss to the family...I was a student of Dana's and I know how much she loved her daughter. I think it is pretty sad that there are people on here that are gonna bash this poor girl and her grieving family at a time like this. And to say that you have known and loved this family and then to put them down is NOT to love this family. First, who are any of us to judge anyone on this earth. Second, you mean to tell me you NEVER drove before you had your license, or when you shouldn't have been driving? I would venture to say that the majority of the people in this area cannot say that they haven't. Third, just what do you do for a living? You gripe and gripe about changes need to be made, what are you doing to make these changes? Why are you going after a grieving family? Again, what do you do for a living, you are attacking the family, law enforcement officers, officials, parents, and leaders in the community. To me that is a pretty big slap in the face if I were one of those people.
I guess what I want to say is that we were not placed on this earth to judge anyone and I wish especially at this time people would keep their rude, thoughtless comments to themselves. (I am pretty sure everyone knows who I am talking about)
this is Parkers boyfriend...i am going to miss her SOOOO much. I am just glad that i knew her like i did. We have been friends since elementry school. And i wonder the same things you people are wondering. why was she going that fast? kids....i have done it to...not saying that i have done it there and at night. but i have done it. She knew that curve was there to. just the other day i was going 40 through there and she yelled and told me to slow down. and i did because i didnt want to be the one to put her life in danger. You might think i am young and dont know what love feels like. but beleive me, i loved this girl with all of my heart and would do anything in the world to bring he back. but i can. there is nothing no one can do. so i am praying for her parents and her bothers and the rest of her family.
With respect to this family, I want to offer my deepest sympathy. My daughter was a student of Dana's. A very good instructor. The students all know how much she loves her children. You have to be a heartless person to say such ugly things about a family that is about to bury their baby. We should all be brought to our knees to pray for these families and the EMS, Firefighters, Police Officers, Sheriff's Department, Doctor's and Nurses. My son is a Fort Scott Police Officer. A very fine young man. If you have never walked in a police officer's shoes, then you have no idea what you are babbling about. May I suggest you interview an officer about what their life is like when they are on duty. You will be surprised to know, they put their lives on the line for the very same people who say ugly things about them. Do you do good things to help your community, or do you live in a glass house with lots of time on your hands? Try to be nice to people. This family is suffering enough.
What's wrong with you people, Judge not least you be judged. I was driving at the age of 8yrs old an most people who has worked on a farm has. God forbid those who think there something when their not. I know the family very well and when you see the tears an the heartach that they have suffered. It doesn't matter why, These people who think its up to the parents, Do you know what your kids are doing, I know mine didn't always know. How about you yourself you have never made a mistake, or God Forbid ever did anything wrong growing up. Wake up ppl what if it was one of your loved one's. Would you still feel the same way. I think not you'd prob keep you mouth shut an go on with your daily life thinking your still perfect. People who live in glass house's shouldn't throw stones. May God be with the Family, And may God open the eyes of such rude people. Parker you will missed. R.I.P
I cant believe this...I cant believe that people have the nerve to get on here and bash this grieving family. I guarantee you wouldnt do it to their faces. I cant believe that the only thing you can think about is the fact that this young girl was driving under age and her family should be punished. WELL GUESS WHAT...THEY ARE BEING PUNISHED...THEY HAVE LOST A YOUNG GIRL, THAT THEY WILL NEVER GET BACK. Now dont you think that is punishment enough for them. Dont you think that they are having to deal with the fact that they may have let their under age daughter drive and as a result of this they will never see her again. Come one give me a break, I am sure that each and every one of you have broke a law whether it was something you did or something you let someone else do. For all you parents out there that have teenagers you can not tell me at some point in their teenage lives you have not let them get behind the wheel and drive under age. So everyone needs to step back, and realize what it is they are saying/thinking before you post it on here for this poor family to read. SHAME ON YOU!!!!
My heart goes out to Parker's family.I'm sorry to see that there's so many people that think there God and can judge someone else.Only God knows why this happen!
I am not bashing anyone I am pointing out the facts. High rate of speed on a dangerous road after the sun has gone down and with multiple passengers in the vehicle driving with a restricted license, all violations. Was she a farm kid that had been driving since the age of 8 like hillybilly45 said, doesn't matter the law is still the law. The police try to be everywhere they can be but they are not omnipresent like God yet so it does fall to the parents to take charge. It is a tragedy and it hurts worse because it was preventable. All I know is what I would and wouldn't do in that situation. Let's all learn and not allow a repeat, that's the best lesson from all of this.
This is a terrible tragedy. I believe that now is a time for mourning and sending our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this girl. As with many things that happen in our lives, we should learn and move forward to correct and improve situations to prevent these things from happening again. To lose a child has to be the most gut wrenching and worst horror that could happen to anyone. If anyone of us were in their shoes and had lost a child, no matter what the reason, we would need love and support to help us through and not finger pointing and blame.
I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends of Parker and the hopes of a quick recovery for the passengers injuried in the crash.
I let this sit for quite a long time before responding to this,
First off to all of you in the families my heart is deeply saddened for your loss and wish there were words that could heal after such a tragedy as this, Other then you have my deepest sympathies thru my tears as well, Mr. X has not the words
This tragic loss has struck home here as well.
I commend all the firefighters ems police etc for all the hard work they did, It is so hard for all of them when young people are involved in any accident. A lot of them also have young ones at home.
As for the reasons of why none of us will ever really know. A lot of people can speculate but either way it doesnt change things, we all need to be there for all the families involved and remember to slow down and get there alive. We all have someone out there who loves us and would not be the same without us .
To all of you my heart goes out to you I can't even fathom the pain of losing a child if I lost mine I dont think I could go on. You have my sympathies as well of as those of my family.
Mr.X
Take care of the ones you love and others, They may someday do the same for you.