Greeley, Kansas — Two vehicles collided head-on and burst into flames on a two-lane highway in rural eastern Kansas, killing eight people, including a high school student, a teacher-coach, and an Oklahoma school employee, authorities said Monday.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 5:45 p.m. Sunday on U.S. 169 outside the small town of Greeley, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, Missouri. One person escaped from a wrecked vehicle and was taken to the hospital.
Three of those killed were associated with Tulsa Public Schools, the school district confirmed on Monday.
Donald “DJ” Laster, a Booker T. Washington High School student, died in the crash, as did Wayne Walls, a former Carver Middle School coach and teacher, and Ja’mon Gilstrap, a Tulsa Public Schools transportation team member.
“I am heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones, and I am committed to honoring the immense collective impact each of these people had in Tulsa and in the lives of our young people,” Dr. Ebony Johnson, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, said in a statement. “I am praying for their families and everyone involved, and hope others will continue to come alongside our students, team members, and families who are hurting.”
The crash closed a portion of the highway for four hours, and Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Jodi Clary said authorities were still working at the scene Monday evening. The cause of the crash was still under investigation.
“Both cars burned up,” Clary stated.
