Suspect in Boone County firefighter’s death skips court appearance
EDITOR'S NOTE: A reference to the hearing happening Tuesday has been corrected to say Monday.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Kansas City man accused in the death of a Boone County firefighter has a warrant out for his arrest after missing a court date.
Kevin L. Brunson was set to appear Monday morning in a Boone County court. Online court records show that Brunson failed to show up and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. He is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter.
Firefighter Bryant Gladney was killed on Dec. 22 after Brunson's truck hit him at a crash scene on Interstate 70 east of Columbia. A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report said Brunson had driven longer than the maximum time allowed by federal law.
Brunson allegedly told investigators that he was driving in the left lane and shifted over to the right lane after he saw traffic stopped at the crash scene. Gladney's Boone County Fire Protection District SUV was parked in the right lane.
Witnesses allegedly told the patrol that Brunson was driving too fast.
Gladney was the first worker with the Boone County Fire Protection District to die on the job. His funeral in Columbia drew hundreds of people. No lawyer was listed for Brunson in online court records.
Brunson was released from custody in late March to get medical treatment.
