Successful businesswoman mom, 48, killed after cop crashed his cruiser into her Audi SQ5… now notorious police department is being very cagey with details of what happened
Misty Leslie, a 48-year-old businesswoman and mother, died after an Independence, Missouri, police SUV struck her Audi at an intersection. Police say preliminary evidence indicates she ran a red light while the officer was responding to an emergency call, but the crash remains under investigation and several details have not been disclosed.
The collision happened at about 1.15am on 11 October; Leslie was taken to hospital and later died, while the officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not said how fast either vehicle was travelling or whether the officer is on leave, describing his employment status as not an open record. The department has faced scrutiny over deadly crashes involving officers and recently restricted high-speed pursuits; Leslie leaves a 21-year-old daughter.
In short
- Misty Leslie, 48, died after a police SUV hit her Audi in Independence.
- Police allege she ran a red light; the crash is still under investigation.
- The department has not disclosed the officer’s employment status.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The officer was responding to an emergency call, and police say preliminary evidence indicates Leslie entered the intersection against a red light. Supporters of giving emergency responders room to act quickly may argue that, if the signal finding is confirmed, the collision involved a tragic driving error and that the investigation should establish the facts before drawing conclusions about the officer’s conduct.
The case against
Emergency duties do not remove the need for officers to drive with due care, and the public has a strong interest in knowing whether the officer’s speed or other decisions contributed to the fatal collision. Given the department’s history of deadly crashes involving officers, its limited disclosure can reasonably heighten calls for independent scrutiny and transparency while the investigation proceeds.