Missouri Man Sentenced to 19 Years for Deliberate ATV Assault on Police Officer
A Missouri man who deliberately struck a Kansas City police officer with an all-terrain vehicle will serve nearly two decades in prison after accepting a plea agreement this week. Kendall Coleman, a 28-year-old resident of Independence, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree assault and other related offenses for the violent attack that occurred in April 2025.
Violent Incident During Illegal Street Operation
The confrontation began when police attempted to stop Coleman, who was illegally operating an ATV alongside a group of other riders within city limits. As officers moved to detain him, Coleman abruptly reversed his vehicle, causing one officer to fall to the ground. When the officer regained his footing and approached the ATV, Coleman performed a wheelie maneuver and deliberately drove the front tires into the law enforcement official, violently slamming him against the pavement.
Coleman immediately fled the scene, reportedly speeding down a highway to escape apprehension. The injured officer sustained serious head injuries and required immediate hospital treatment. Following an intensive investigation, authorities located and arrested Coleman eleven days later, thanks to a tip from a member of the public regarding his whereabouts.
Legal Consequences and Family Involvement
Coleman received a combined prison sentence of nineteen years during court proceedings on Thursday. The sentence included seven years for the assault charge and an additional twelve years for aggravated fleeing from law enforcement. In a related development, Coleman's father, Marc Coleman, was also arrested and pleaded guilty on the same day after admitting to sheltering his son from police during the manhunt period.
Broader Context of Kansas City's Street Racing Crisis
This violent incident represents just one example of the dangerous and disruptive illegal street racing phenomenon that has plagued Kansas City in recent years. The situation has grown so severe that some residents have drawn comparisons to dystopian fiction, describing scenes reminiscent of apocalyptic films.
Local business owners have expressed mounting concern about the safety implications of these activities. David Lopez, general manager at Manny's Mexican Restaurant, emphasized that the problem transcends political or racial dimensions, characterizing it fundamentally as a public safety emergency. Lopez noted that his family has operated their business for forty-five years and described current conditions as among the most dangerous they have witnessed.
Bradley Gilmore, owner of Lula's Southern Cookhouse, echoed these concerns, describing how declining police presence and increasing criminal activity near his establishment have undermined his previous support for downtown revitalization projects. Both business owners reported significant impacts on foot traffic and revenue, with some enterprises considering relocation due to safety concerns.
Municipal Response and Proposed Solutions
The street racing crisis has resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, generating growing public frustration with municipal leadership. In response to the escalating problem, the Kansas City city council proposed legislation in November that would authorize the destruction of ATVs and dirt bikes involved in illegal racing activities.
Councilman Crispin Rea's proposal seeks to amend existing state laws to provide law enforcement with enhanced tools to combat the dangerous phenomenon. The situation continues to present significant challenges for local authorities as they work to balance public safety concerns with effective policing strategies in affected neighborhoods.
