Springfield teen runs over, kills man in wheelchair

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Springfield police officers were dispatched to the area of Sunshine Avenue and Seiger Street for a motor vehicle crash at 12:58 a.m. on Aug. 27. 

The initial investigation determined that a white 2006 Hummer H3, operated by Jordan Neely-Smith, 17, of Springfield, was traveling eastbound on Sunshine and then entered the parking lot located at 3121 E. Sunshine where it struck a male who was in a wheelchair. 

The vehicle then continued across Seiger Street after striking other objects at 3121 E. Sunshine and objects at 3147 E. Sunshine before coming to a final stop. 

The male, later identified as Kendrick A. Johnson, 39, of Springfield, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased as a result of injuries received in the crash. Johnson’s next of kin have been notified.

The Springfield Police Department's Traffic Section is conducting the ongoing investigation and will be awaiting laboratory results to determine if drugs and/or alcohol were a contributing factor in the crash.