ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A tragic traffic incident claimed the life of one motorcyclist early Wednesday morning along the Belt Highway, according to the St. Joseph Police Department (SJPD).

At approximately 1:57 a.m. on July 30, 2025, SJPD officers responded to a crash at the intersection of North Belt Highway and Blackwell Road involving multiple motorcycles. Two individuals were directly involved in the collision. One motorcyclist sustained injuries and was promptly transported to Mosaic Life Care for medical treatment.

The second motorcyclist, identified as Tristian Plumley, 23, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was found unresponsive at the scene. Buchanan County EMS transported Plumley to Mosaic Life Care, where he was pronounced deceased.

Authorities have determined that a third motorcycle was involved in the incident but fled the scene before officers arrived. By Wednesday afternoon, the SJPD had identified the third motorcyclist, though no further details about their identity or status have been released. A photo provided by the SJPD captured the potential third motorcyclist involved in the crash at North Belt Highway and Blackwell Road.

The SJPD Traffic Reconstruction Unit is actively investigating the incident to determine the cause and circumstances of the crash. The investigation remains ongoing, and the SJPD is seeking information from the public. Anyone with details about the third motorcyclist is encouraged to contact the Tips Hotline at (816) 238-TIPS or the SJPD Traffic Unit at (816) 271-4882.