For Immediate Release
February 24, 2025
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced prosecutors secured a guilty plea in the fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on 291 Highway near Sugar Creek, Missouri in 2022.
Dominic Conway pleaded guilty to Driving While Intoxicated and Involuntary Manslaughter in the 1st Degree. The defendant was also sentenced today to the maximum sentence for the DWI charge—six months, and seven years on the involuntary manslaughter charge. The counts are running concurrently with one another.
“Today, justice has been served. The defendant made a tragic decision to drive while intoxicated, resulting in the death of a dedicated public servant who devoted his life to public safety and saving others. One bad decision like this one can impact countless lives,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “Our office is satisfied with the sentence, which provides accountability and sends a clear message that drunk driving will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court records, Sugar Creek police were called to the scene of a head-on crash on Missouri 291 Highway on Oct. 14, 2022. The victim was declared deceased due to injuries sustained in the crash.
The investigation determined the victim was driving northbound on the highway when he encountered the defendant’s vehicle, which was driving the wrong-way on the divided, four-lane roadway. The two vehicles struck head-on. The defendant was impaired at the time of the crash, and his blood alcohol content was at least .490 when the crash occurred.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Erica Frank prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.
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Media Contact:
Jazzlyn Johnson
Director of Communications
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
415 E 12th Street
Kansas City, MO - 64106
(816) 929-1289
jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com