Crash report says Columbia mayor’s vehicle was hit when another driver drove through red light

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A crash report from the University of Missouri Police Department says a crash last week that involved Columbia’s mayor occurred after another driver rode through a red light.

The report –which was obtained by ABC 17 News through a records request – says a 2027 Hyundai Sonata was driven by Ava Schweser. The Hyundai was heading southbound on College Avenue when it approached the intersection with University Avenue on June 18.

The report says the driver failed to stop at “a solid red light” and hit a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq – which was driven by Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe – while it was heading westbound. The impact from the crash led to Buffaloe’s vehicle to hit a city bus, the report says.

Edin Kajtaz, the driver of the bus, told police that he saw Buffaloe’s vehicle get hit by the Sonata, according to the report. Another person, described as a witness, was sitting in their vehicle in one of the southbound lanes while the light was red and claimed the Sonata “flew by he through the red light and collided with” Buffaloe’s vehicle, the report says.

A passenger in one of the vehicles reported having a pain around their neck, but did not go to a hospital. Kajtaz had pain on the left side of his body and was brought to University Hospital by ambulance, the report says.

Both Hyundais were towed from the scene.