Tragedy Strikes Archie with Loss of Young Athlete
Archie, Missouri – The small town of Archie is mourning the tragic loss of Miles Humbird, an 18-year-old high school star who died in a car accident shortly after helping his team win the Missouri 8-man football championship. The accident occurred on Saturday night, December 7, shortly after a celebrated victory.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), the accident happened at 9:29 p.m. on Route B, about five miles east of Archie. A 17-year-old male driver was reportedly driving a 2015 Kia K900 when he crossed the center line, went off the road, and overturned. Both the driver and Humbird, who was a passenger, were ejected from the vehicle.
Emergency services pronounced Miles Humbird dead at 10:42 p.m. at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, as confirmed by Dr. Jeff Girkin. Although the MSHP does not disclose the names of individual accident victims, a family friend confirmed Humbird’s identity on social media. He was the 77th fatality in Troop A this year.
On Sunday, the Archie School District took to Facebook to share the heartbreaking news: “We are saddened to share the news of a tragedy that occurred last night. Three students were in a terrible car accident late last night. All three were transported to local hospitals. One student passed away, one is in critical care, and one is home recovering.”
The driver of the vehicle was airlifted to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with serious injuries, while another passenger, also 18 years old, sustained minor injuries and was taken to Belton Regional Hospital. Reports indicate that none of the three individuals were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
Miles Humbird had a significant impact on his team’s success. During the championship game, he played as a defensive end and recorded 10 tackles, showcase a standout performance that contributed to Archie’s victory over North Shelby with a score of 48-20. Humbird’s efforts included two touchdowns and an impressive total of 230 rushing yards in the season. His performance had a lasting influence on Archie’s championship run.
Due to the tragedy, the school has canceled its junior high basketball game, signaling the somber mood in the community. In a gesture of respect, a television network covering the game chose not to broadcast highlights of the championship game as a tribute to the Archie community.
The Archie community is rallying together in the wake of this loss, with counselors available for students throughout the week. This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the impact it can have on a close-knit community.
