James L. Hill was 27 when he died on the evening of December 1, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri. First responders initially treated the scene on the southbound lanes of Bruce R. Watkins Drive at 85th Street as a single‑car crash: a vehicle had hit a concrete barrier on the right shoulder, crossed lanes, and stopped against the steel wires on the left shoulder. Emergency personnel found Hill unresponsive in the driver’s seat and discovered he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

What began as a traffic call was quickly upgraded to a homicide investigation. Southbound lanes were closed for several hours while detectives canvassed the area, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses, but investigators have not publicly identified a suspect or said where the shooting occurred before the crash. The family and community continue to seek answers about the circumstances of Hill’s death.

If anyone witnessed the crash or the events leading up to it, or has information that could help the investigation, please come forward.