Driver charged with 4 counts of DWI after striking four people in Harrisonville

Gretchen A. Otterberg

The Cass County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed 4 counts of DWI – Serious Physical Injury against Gretchen A. Otterberg, of Harrisonville, regarding the motor vehicle crash that occurred last night. Gretchen has been given a $10,000 10% cash bond. In other words, for $1,000 cash she can be released from jail. We were advised that the Cass County Prosecuting Attorney's Office asked a $100,000 bond.

The incident occurred at 6:52pm, while 4 family members were walking north on S. Oakland Street. The family members included a mother, her 9-year-old son and her elderly parents, who had just arrived in the United States from Peru. They had eaten dinner and chosen to take a walk. Gretchen, who chose to drink and drive, left and began traveling north on S. Oakland until she suddenly struck the 4 family members. 

The elderly grandparents sustained more serious injuries. By some miracle, the 9-year-old suffered minor injuries and has since been released from the hospital. As of today, the grandparents are still hospitalized, with critical injuries. The mother, who is stable with serious injuries, is also still in the hospital. This investigation is ongoing.

Courtesy of the Harrisonville Police Department