Full Notification

At about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5, police were called to the 6700 block of Blue Parkway in regard to an accident involving a toddler. Upon arrival, officers located a small child in the westbound lanes with no signs of life. He was pronounced dead a short time later. The boy was later identified as 2-year-old J'Vierre Durden of Essex, Mo.

A witness stated she was driving westbound when she saw the toddler running eastbound in the westbound lanes. When she turned around and returned to the area, she saw he had been hit. A short time later, the boy's father arrived on scene and stated his son was missing from their hotel room. Investigators believe the boy left the locked room while his family slept.

It appears the toddler was side-swiped by a vehicle, so the driver may not have realized he/she hit a small child. Police are looking for the vehicle and driver. Anyone who was in the area at the time of the accident is urged to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).