Zach Myers’ soft, beckoning smile jumped out at readers from Page 8 of Saturday’s Kansas City Star.
The vitality of that smile — the glimmer in those happy eyes — stood in stark, awful contrast, however, to the news that accompanied the photo: Myers, a 16-year-old junior at Olathe Northwest High School, had died from injuries he suffered in a car crash last Wednesday.
Zach
The story, which did not bear a by-line, said Zach had been in a vehicle with two other boys; that a head-on collision had occurred on Iowa Street in Olathe about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1; that neither of the other boys nor the woman driving the other vehicle suffered serious injuries
The story said that Zach, in addition to being a student at Northwest High, attended the Millcreek Center, a career and technical school in Olathe. The story quoted a statement from the district that described Zach as a well-liked student “with a caring heart whose wit and charm touched many lives.”
As far as it went, the story was satisfactory. But it left so many questions unanswered.
Not just unanswered, but, worse, apparently unasked.
As a former reporter, as a parent, as a curious human being, I wanted to know more.
For example, were the boys in school that day? And, if so, why were they out driving on the street at 10:30 a.m.? Where, exactly, did the crash occur? Was speed a factor? Were drugs or alcohol involved? Did one of the vehicles cross over into the path of the other? Were the occupants of both vehicles wearing seatbelts?
The Star’s story addressed none of those questions.
It’s not every day that the life of a beaming, 16-year-old student is snuffed out in the Kansas City area, and when it does happen, in my view, it deserves more than a cursory story from the area’s leading news-gathering force.
Readers should expect a lot more than what they got on Page 8 of Saturday’s paper.
So, I set out to expand the record and set it as straight as I could. Here’s what I did and what I found.
:: I checked the school calendar, which indicated school was in session that day.
:: I called the school district public relations office to verify that school was in session and to try to find out why the boys might have been out on the streets. I was told that the district spokesperson was not in but that someone else would call me. That was about 9 a.m. I haven’t heard back.
:: I went to Mapquest and discovered that Iowa Street is a north-south street that runs from Santa Fe, near downtown Olathe, to just south of 119th Street, west of Woodland.
:: I called the police department and spoke with Sgt. Johnny Roland, police spokesman.
Roland said he believed the boys were on their way from Millcreek Center, near downtown Olathe, to Northwest, which is about five miles from Millcreek, at College Boulevard and South Lone Elm. He said Iowa, a logical route for the trip north, was a two-lane street, where cars parked on either side.
Roland said the crash was under investigation and that he had not seen a report. Knowing the street, he said he could understand how a head-on crash could happen there, but he said he didn’t know if either vehicle crossed over.
He also said he did not know what kind of car the boys were in; if Zach or the other boys — or the woman driving the other vehicle — were wearing seatbelts; and if excessive speed was a factor. When I asked him if drugs or alcohol were involved, he said, “I don’t believe so.”
:: I called the Myers’ home in Lenexa. At first, I spoke with Zach’s mother, Kimberly Myers. I explained to her who I was and what I was doing, extended my sympathy and asked her if she was willing to talk about the crash. Before turning the phone over to her husband, John, she told me that Zach had been in the back seat of the vehicle and that he had been wearing a seatbelt.
When John Myers, a 21-year- veteran of the Olathe Fire Department, got on the line, I again offered my sympathy and explained who I was and why I was calling. We talked — amicably, I thought — for about five minutes.
He said all three boys were wearing seatbelts and that the other two suffered only scrapes and bruises. Like Sgt. Roland, that he didn’t know what kind of vehicle the boys were in. The other boys were classmates, he said, but he didn’t believe Zach was particularly close friends with them. Myers said he had not spoken with family members of the other boys.
He said Zach customarily spent part of school-day mornings at Millcreek and then went to Northwest about 10:40 a.m. or 11. So, the timing of the crash, as well as the route they were taking, he said, would indicate they were on their way to Northwest. He said the crash occurred about a mile north of Millcreek.
Myers said that Zach, whose survivors include an older brother, suffered a head injury, but Myers said he didn’t know how he struck his head or on what. I noted that it sounded rather flukish — that everyone else walked away from the wreck, while Zach, buckled in the back seat, suffered mortal injuries.
Myers agreed, saying: “We’re curious as well. We’re at a loss as to how this could happen.”
He said that the family was eager to get answers to their questions, but, at the same time, he did not want the investigation to be rushed.
“Frankly, I want them to take their time,” Myers said. “I want them to investigate this thoroughly.”
So, the Myers family and other people who would like to know more about this tragedy must wait. I certainly hope The Star will follow up. The loss of what appears to be a fine, 16-year-old boy should not be allowed to drift out of public awareness without explanation.
*****
A post script is in order.
As I said in the text, I thought my conversation with John Myers was amicable. He spoke with understandable sadness in his voice but never gave an indication he wanted to cut off the conversation. Before we signed off, I again expressed my sympathy and sorrow on his behalf.
About an hour afterwards, however, I got a call from Officer Michael Bussell of the Lenexa Police Department who told me to stop harassing the Myers family. I told him that John Myers had spoken freely and had given me no indication that he wanted to end the conversation.
Bussell took my “information” — name, address, d.o.b., telephone numbers, blog address — and said that if I attempted to contact the Myers family again, I could be charged with harassment.
…Such is the lot of a blogger who dusted off his reporter’s hat and tried to satisfy his curiosity — and perhaps the curiosity of members of the public –about a case that got short shrift from “the paper of record.”
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
I understand why you are a “former reporter” and I cannot believe you are a parent. If you were, you would not be calling grieving parents to ask why a child they have just lost was not in school because in your small, little mind all kids are in the same school all day long. I wish they would have charged you, then maybe no one else would have to endure your sick, heartless “curiosity.” I hope some day you have to endure the same pain and loss, then have a twisted, disgusting person like yourself put you through the same thing you have put this poor family through.
Believe it or not, not everybody needs to know all the details. Some of us just are saddened that such a young life has ended, regardless of the situation or reason.
Hey Jimmy,
Have you ever had a son die? How would you like it if right after he died in a car crash I called you up and started probing you and asking questions about why he was there? Doing drugs? Was he on his way to rob a place? Was he just leaving a strip club?
Why would you automatically question and think the worst right off the bat? It’s people like you and the news media who make this world a worse place.
Next time try thinking the good in people. I’ll watch for any of your family in the obituaries and if I see them, get ready for a call from me where I’ll make sure and ask lots of questions.
Once again, a good piece. Not a lot of troll bait here and if that’s the criteria for evaluation, glad you’re not doing too well. Harley will hate this, of course.
Thanks, John. I was starting to feel a bit under siege here. I certainly understand the frustration and sadness of the Myers’ family and their friends, but, as you know, this is a matter of public interest, and it’s perfectly appropriate for journalists (and I am one) to ask questions.
It’s been five days since the crash, and the Olathe police have put out virtually nothing. The media hasn’t pressed the issue, so the authorities haven’t been pressed, until my piece today, to come forward with an official explanation.
I don’t think you’d see this happening in Kansas City, Missouri, KCK or even Overland Park. Olathe police have had time enough to study this matter and interview any witnesses. It’s time for candor from the authorities.
Jim
Jimmy-
As a close and personal friend of the Myers family I feel compelled to respond to your so called BLOG….I can not believe you have such little compassion in your heart to realize there is a time and place for such questions. A few short day after such a tragic event is not the time to contact the grieving parents of a child whom was lost. I can tell you that your phone call from your perspective may have seemed amicable, however you don’t have any personal feelings for this child, therefore your perspective was way off….Your phone call was very upsetting for the family and just made matters worse. They too have questions, but all the answers in the world will not bring their son back or change the outcome of the event. Quite frankly its none of your business!!! Zach unlike some children his age was a fine young man who I can honestly tell you knew the difference between right and wrong. He was the voice of reason when others his age thought to stray. He would remind them of what was right. That boy was doing everything he was supposed to be doing that day, going to school…..For you to question his integrity is wrong and you should be ashamed of yourself for assuming otherwise!!!!!!!!!!
As for the integrity of the Police who are investigating this accident, they too are taking the time and care needed to find out the FACTS!!!!!!!! They don’t need a so called, “reporter” to interfere by adding his personal opinions or assumptions as to what occurred…..By your writing this your are spreading rumors that are untrue.
This is exactly why our society has become the way it is. Because people like you feel compelled to print lies and stray people from the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura
I believe that tragedies require a public explanation so we can try to learn something_ anything_ from a death in case it could help prevent another. But it is hard when those closest to the case (ie; police and relatives) don’t want to talk. They often lash out at whomever is the easiest target…in this case, Jimmy C. I know your intentions were good. Perhaps this explains somewhat why The Star hasn’t done much on this story.
Oh my GOD… and you wonder why you were a former reporter? WHO in their right mind would call the father of a child who was just tragically killed, out of a need to ambulance chase, gawk, and gossip????
You’re a regular Mrs. Kravitz.. but with sinister motives.
You passed yourself off as a legitimate reporter when you called the Myers. It took no time for them to realize they had been duped into speaking with you.
You found out NOTHING.. you got NOTHING of value or interest, except a selfish self indulgent need to hear morbid details.
You’re a sick individual, heartless, soul-less, and God forbid you ever lose a child such as the Myers family did.
I hope they sue the pants off you, and put the money towards a scholarship program in their son’s name.
You’re no journalist, you’re a voyer.
CB — Thank you for trying to bring my role into reasonable context. I am an online journalist — in no sense a voyeur, as Parent of a Teen alleges. And in this case, as you point out, I am also the outlet of some frustration and anger for friends and family of of the Myers. The reaction probably would not be nearly as vitriolic if I were a still a reporter for The Star, or if I worked for a TV or radio station. A lot of people still don’t understand the fragmentation going on in journalism, and I can see how that is confusing to many people.
Sometimes journalists have to make difficult calls to try to get that “public explanation” that you talked about, and I’m glad you pointed out the importance of getting public explanations, even in difficult, emotional cases like that of Zach.
And let’s not forget: Whoever answers a telephone call from anyone has the perfect right to say, at any time: “I don’t want to talk about this right now. I hope you understand. Goodbye.”
Jim
Your first clue they didn’t want to talk should have been when Zachs mother handed the phone to her husband…among others…the simple fact of the matter is your timing was bad. At least the Star and real media have respect for what the Myers family is feeling!!!!They clearly asked that others respect their privacy while they were grieving!!!!The answers to your questions will be available soon enough!!!! Again its not your business!!! Your intentions were for selfish purposes..don’t sugar coat it like you were a concerned citizen.
I sit on both sides here.
I totally understand how the Myers family wants to be left alone. I have a daughter Zach’s age at the same school and can only image how I would feel at this point, only to have someone call and ask questions.
At the same time, I was at the accident with Zach until emergency personel arrived and although I am NOT a forensic technician I can only speculate as to what happened and it had nothing to do with why he wasn’t in school or what kind of person he was.
I just want to know how to keep it from happening again. And, in my opinion (and I’m not a reporter) that’s all anyone but the family NEEDS to know!
As the parent of a daughter that went to school with Zach, I would like to offer my deepest sympothy to the Myers family and to let them know if there is anything I can ever do to please let me know.