A church is shaken after a deadly crash killed one of their members over the weekend.
Leawood police said Tuesday that 69-year-old Donna Manning died in Sunday's crash at 119th and State Line Road. Her husband, Bill Manning, remains in the hospital.
The two were heading to KC First Church of the Nazarene.
"I think the thing that makes this particularly difficult is the circumstances involved," Brad Estep, the senior pastor at the church, said.
On Sunday morning as Estep greeted his congregation, first responders worked the violent crash at the corner of his church.
To make matters worse, two longtime church members were missing.
"Without Bill showing up for orchestra practice and Donna who waited on him while practice took place before they went to one of the Bible studies, with them not being there, people began to wonder," Estep said.
Police said a pickup truck going south on State Line Road slammed into the couple's black Lincoln going east. The impact sent both vehicles into a third.
Donna Manning, in the passenger seat of the Lincoln, died from her injuries.
"We were all informed at the same time and we had each other to talk to about it and comfort one another," Estep said.
For decades the Mannings called KC First Church of the Nazarene their place of worship. Bill Manning served as an associate pastor before working for the church's publishing company. Throughout that time, Donna Manning also supported the church.
The married couple of five decades called Overland Park home. Neighbors told 41 Action News they lived on Hemlock Street for the last 15 years.
"It's pretty upsetting because they were great people," Gus Rodriguez, one of their neighbors, said.
He adds Donna Manning had a big personality and a generous heart.
"Anytime we came over to help, she'd bring a plate of goodies over to thanks us for it," Rodriguez said.
Bill Manning underwent surgery soon after the crash.
"He's thinking of others even in the midst of his own pain and loss," Estep said.
Estep met with Bill Manning on Monday.
"I prayed with him, he wanted everyone to know how grateful he was for their love and support," Estep said.
Leawood police said they're still investigating the crash and no decision on charges has been made yet.
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
