Second grader from Lee’s Summit school identified as boy killed on hayride
A second grader from the Lee’s Summit School District was identified as the boy killed while on a hayride during a neighborhood’s annual Halloween celebration.
“We are deeply saddened today to notify you about the death of one of our Woodland Elementary students,” the school’s principal, Stacy James, wrote in a letter sent Sunday to parents.
“Donovan Brashear, a second grader in our WLE family, died Saturday after a hayride accident and we are heartbroken for his family,” the letter said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Donovan and his family during this difficult time. We also offer condolences to Woodland Elementary students and staff members, especially Donovan’s classmates, teachers and support staff.”
The letter was sent to parents in case they heard about it from their children, other parents or the news.
“Woodland Elementary is built on caring relationships, and its important that we help support each other,” James wrote.
Counseling staff were at the school, 12709 Smart Rd, Lee’s Summit, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday to meet with students to talk about the tragic event. Students should be accompanied by an adult, James said.
For those who couldn’t meet with counselors during those times, they were encouraged to call 816-986-2360.
Donovan died from injuries he sustained while on a hayride during the Quail Meadows Homes Association’s annual Halloween celebration on Saturday.
Jackson County Sheriff deputies along with emergency medical workers and the Missouri Highway Patrol responded to a crash about 7:40 p.m. on Pratt Road south of Poindexter Road in unincorporated Jackson County. It was dark at the time of the crash. The sun set at about 6:20 p.m. Saturday.
The child was “clinging” to a trailer being towed by a John Deere tractor when he fell, according to a crash report by the highway patrol. He was then struck by the trailer. He was critically injured and later died at a hospital.
The crash is still under investigation, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Troop A.
“We’re still interviewing people out there so we don’t have a final determination as to what transpired,” Lowe said.
Hayrides are exempt under Missouri’s amusement ride safety program and do not require a permit, he said.
“We don’t have anybody necessarily that’s overseeing them,” Lowe said.
The driver of the hayride was tested for possible impairment and was found not be impaired, he said.
