A little bit before 5 a.m. on Wendesday, December 21rst, 2011, the Platte County Sheriff’s Department received an emergency call about an accident on Missouri 45.  The one-car accident involved Reginald Demps Jr. and his passenger and teammate, Quaran Johnson.  Both young men on the Benedictine College basketball team.

Captain Erik Holland, of the Platte Count Sheriff’s Department, says that they do not yet know what exactly caused the accident, but that they suspect the slick roads made Demps lose control of the vehicle.

Demps and Johnson were headed home for Christmas, but, tragically, Demps did not survive the accident.  Luckily, Johnson did and with non-life-threatening injuries.  Johnson was taken to an area hospital and should be home soon.

The Benedictine College basketball coach, Ryan Moody, says that their team lost a very valued team member who “had an infectious personality and would be remembered for his enthusiasm.”

Moody went on to say, “This is a devastating and tragic day for Benedictine College, Benedictine men’s basketball, and, most importantly, for the family of R.J.  He had an impact on his coaches, his teammates, and the entire Benedictine College community.”

This tragic story is nothing new.  Many are killed or injured in weather-related accidents every winter season.  There are preventative measures that you can take to avoid being in a highway accident.

• Get plenty of rest before driving.
• Have your vehicle checked out by a professional to make sure that the tires, windshield wipers, belts, lights, and fluids are all up to snuff.
• Know your route and know where construction zones are.
• Give yourself plenty time to get to your destination so that you don’t have to rush.
• Avoid distractions like texting, talking on the phone or eating while driving.
• Drive defensively.

Sometimes, no matter what we do, we can’t avoid an accident.  Just in case this happens, have a car emergency kit in your vehicle at all times.  Stay out of the road and dial “47″, if you have a cellular phone, to contact the Highway Patrol Dispatch.

If you or a loved one has been in a weather-related auto accident, the Kansas City auto accident attorneys may be able to help you.  For a free consultation, call 816-471-5111 or “Just Ask”.  You can also follow Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys on facebook and twitter.