Friday, Jan. 06 2012 9:46AM

Fatality accident under investigation

The Missouri Highway Patrol’s investigation into Lee’s Summit’s first traffic fatality of the New Year will determine whether charges should be filed against a driver who rear-ended a car on the shoulder of westbound Interstate 470, Patrol Sgt. Bill Lowe said.

Virginia Bruce, 40, Kansas City, was killed at about 3 p.m. Jan. 2, after pulling her stalled 2000 Ford onto the shoulder of the interstate just west of Pryor Road.

Bruce’s car was rammed from behind by a 2005 Chevrolet, driven by 36-year-old Crystal McCoy, Kansas City, whose vehicle also left the roadway before the crash.

Bruce was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger, 42-year-old Mary Bowers, Kansas City, and McCoy were transported with injuries to local hospitals.