Kansas City to consider $915K settlement for firefighter who killed 3 in crash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City firefighter who hit and killed three people in Westport may get a settlement worth nearly $1 million from the city.
City council members are expected to consider approving $915,000 settlements in lawsuits filed by the firefighter’s union and Dominic Biscari over workers’ comp benefits during a meeting Thursday afternoon. Biscari filed for the benefit after he was injured in the 2021 crash.
Biscari was behind the wheel of the firetruck when it ran a red light in Westport. The firetruck‘s lights and sirens were on at the time of the crash. The firetruck hit a car and pushed it into a pedestrian and then into a Westport building. The building partially collapsed about a minute after the crash.
The crash trapped a Honda CRV under the pumper, killing the driver, Jennifer San Nicolas, and a passenger, Michael Elwood.
The pedestrian, Tami Knight, was also killed. She was waiting on the sidewalk while her boyfriend was unlocking his car.
Biscari was charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter. He took what is known as an Alford Plea, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged a judge or jury would likely find him guilty. He was sentenced to three years of supervised probation.
The fire department initially fired Biscari but he was allowed to return to the department three years later.
KCFD changed its red light policy after Biscari ran a red light on his way to a call.
The new KCFD directive requires all KCFD vehicle operators on an emergency response to make a complete stop when they, among other things, are at red traffic lights, at stop signs, at blind intersections, or when intersection hazards are present.
The directive goes on to say the use of lights, sirens, and air horns does not automatically give the right of way to emergency vehicles and that KCFD operators must drive defensively, to be prepared for the unexpected or inappropriate actions of others.
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