KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City firefighter who in December 2021 killed three persons by driving a Kansas City Fire Department pumper truck into a Westport Road intersection against a red light without braking or ensuring it was safe -- has pleaded guilty to three manslaughter charges, one for each victim, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.
Dominic Biscari, 23, pleaded guilty to three counts of Involuntary Manslaughter 2nd Degree.
As part of a plea agreement, Biscari was placed on probation for three years and required to follow court-ordered rules, including refraining from carrying firearms, having no contact with the victims' families and completing community service. Questions regarding the defendant's employment status with the Kansas City Fire Department should be directed to the city or the fire department.
According to court records filed Tuesday, on Dec. 15, 2021, Kansas City police responded to Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard on an injury crash involving a fire truck. The defendant, who was driving the fire pumper, was in route to a house fire and had the vehicle’s emergency equipment activated. The pumper, headed north on Broadway, entered the intersection at Westport Road and struck a Honda CRV. The forced of the impact moved the Honda CRV to the left and struck three other vehicles, one hitting a pedestrian, Tami N. Knight, who died of her injuries. The driver of the Honda CRV, Jennifer L. San Nicolas and front seat passenger, Michael J. Elwood, died from injuries sustained in the crash. No firefighters were injured.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker issued the following statement:
"My office has been in contact with the attorneys for the victims' families over the course of our review of this case. Our office and the community send these families our deepest condolences. Though this plea will not restore their lives or heal their grief, it demonstrates a level of accountability for the actions of the firefighter who carried a public duty. We also hope this motivates further review of the best and the safest practices for operating public vehicles. Our community requires more care."