Glenn E. Rice: Former Chief Baldinger won’t face charges after fatal wreck
 

Former Chief Baldinger won’t face charges after fatal wreck

Jackson County authorities said Monday that no criminal charges would be filed against a former Chiefs offensive lineman who was involved in a fatal car accident this weekend.

Marilyn L. Walters, 61, of Grain Valley was killed Saturday afternoon when the Saturn in which she was riding was struck by a Dodge driven by Rich Baldinger at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Bowlin Road in eastern Jackson County.

Velda Cook, spokeswoman for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office, said the crash has been ruled an accident by investigators. Cook declined further comment.

The Saturn, driven by Jerry Walters, was heading east on U.S. 40 when it was hit by the Dodge, which was going north on Bowlin Road. Jerry Walters was moderately injured and was taken to the hospital.

Another woman in the Saturn, Christina Hainley, 29, of Pleasant Hill, was also moderately injured and was treated at a hospital.

Baldinger, 49, played in the NFL from 1982 to 1993. He spent most of his career with Kansas City, starting 103 games for the Chiefs. He has also worked as a television football commentator.

A Dodge what?

I wonder what happened? If they are not charging him, he must not have been drunk.

Man, what a terrible situation.

Certainly sounds like one driver ran a stop sign/traffic signal.

sad news

RIP

Former Chiefs Lineman Baldinger Charged With Careless Operation of a Vehicle
Posted by Aaron Wilson on July 8, 2009 3:45 PM

Criminal charges hadn't been expected for Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Rich Baldinger for his involvement in a car accident that killed a 61-year-old woman.

However, Baldinger has now been formally charged with a misdemeanor count of operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident, according to the Kansas City Star.

Initially, law enforcement authorities had said that Baldinger wouldn't be prosecuted. The chief trial assistant for Jackson County told the Star that statement was a misunderstanding because they didn't have all the facts at the time time.

Per the report, Baldinger, if convicted, could face anywhere from a day to an entire year in jail and/or a fine as high as $5,000.

Baldinger played for the Chiefs from 1982 through 1993, and he has worked as a television analyst since his retirement.

Lame

careless and imprudent manner = They couldn't prove anything but they gotta blame somebody.

The cvil suit to follow won't be pretty.

I doubt Baldy is loaded. He's not in the poorhouse but I presume there's not a ton of liquid assets for an attorney to pursue.

I know from examples close, that lack of money won't stop someone wanting to punish.

But it will stop a smart tort attorney from taking the case.

Yes, since almost all tort attorneys get paid from a percentage of the winnings.

I hope all involved listen to smart advice.