Public asked to help in investigating woman’s traffic death

Police released this photo of a Cadillac that looks like the car that was involved in a fatal crash Tuesday. It is not the actual car that was in the accident.
Police released this photo of a Cadillac that looks like the car that was involved in a fatal crash Tuesday. It is not the actual car that was in the accident.

Police are asking the public to help in the investigation of a traffic death Tuesday, Aug. 19.

A Kansas City, Kan., police officer tried to stop a stolen two-door black Cadillac Eldorado at 4:06 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, in the 1800 block of Central Avenue.

The vehicle did not yield for the officer, and based on information available at the time, the officer did not pursue the vehicle.

Then, about 4:08 p.m., police said an injury-accident occurred in the 3800 block of Haskell Avenue involving the Cadillac Eldorado and a Toyota Camry. As a result of the accident, the driver of the Camry died from her injuries. She was identified as Geraldine H. Strader, 79, a resident of Kansas City, Kan.

Police said the subsequent accident investigation revealed the Cadillac Eldorado had been reported stolen. The Cadillac traveled from 18th and Central Avenue to 38th and Haskell Avenue, about 2.8 miles, in less than three minutes, police said.

Traffic investigators are encouraging anyone who may have observed this vehicle traveling through those locations around 4 p.m. to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.