Whiteman Air Force Base security forces airmen involved in fatal traffic crash

Two security forces airmen at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri were involved in a traffic crash early Friday in which a civilian driver was killed.

“It is with deep sadness that this incident resulted in the death of the civilian driver,” 2nd Lt. Allen Palmer, a spokesman for the 509th Bomb Wing, said in an emailed statement.

Palmer would not comment on whether the security forces airmen were intoxicated, and said the full results of a toxicology report are still pending.

“If the airmen were intoxicated, they will be dealt with appropriately in accordance with the law,” Palmer said.

The airmen, who are assigned to the 509th Security Forces Squadron, were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries, Palmer said.

Palmer said the names of the airmen will not be released unless they are publicly charged with a crime.

“Our airmen are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and we must balance transparency with the safety and privacy rights of our personnel,” Palmer said.