KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Chevrolet Yukon tried to pass a vehicle Sunday evening on southbound U.S. 169 Highway, drove into the northbound lane and slammed head-on into a vehicle as both tried to avoid the other.
The crash killed eight people and critically injured one, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol crash log.
The 2016 GMC Yukon was driven by Jaimon Gilstrap, 33, of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Gilstrap died in the crash. The report states he was wearing a seat belt.
Other victims in the Chevrolet Yukon that were killed in the crash were identified in the patrol's report as 14-year-old Kyron Gilstrap, of Tulsa, 14-year-old Donald Laster, of Tulsa, and 41-year-old Wayne Walls, of Talala, Oklahoma.
All were wearing their seat belts.
Braden Walls, 15, of Talala, Oklahoma, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center, according to the patrol's report.
The second vehicle, a 2016 Subaru Legacy, was driven by Alexander Ernst, 37, of Ames, Iowa.
Ernst died in the crash, according to the KHP report.
Passengers 76-year-old John Elliott, 33-year-old Madalyn Elliott and 69-year-old Norleen Elliott died in the crash. All three were from Chesterfield, Missouri.
All occupants of the Subaru were wearing their seat belts.
In addition to KHP, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and several other nearby agencies responded to the crash.
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Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) confirmed Donald "DJ" Laster attended Booker T. Washington High School.
“This accident also touched our community in a number of additional ways, as it claimed lives of others known to our students and team members from middle school, as basketball teammates, and as beloved members of our extended family across Tulsa. It is difficult for all of us to face the death of a child or trusted adult," Booker T. Washington Principal Dr. Melissa Woolridge said in a letter to Hornet families.
Woolridge said resources will be available from the district's Student and Family Support Services. COPES, a community crisis response unit in Tulsa, is also available 24/7 at 918-744-4800.
“We know you join us in extending our heartfelt sympathy to all of those who have been impacted,” Woolridge said.
One of DJ's teachers at Booker T. Washington, Ron Horton, said DJ was "something special."
TPS also shared Jaimon Gilstrap served as a member of the district's transportation team, and Wayne Walls was a former Carver Middle School teacher and coach.
Dr. Ebony Johnson, TPS superintendent, said "many branches" of the district were in mourning Monday.
"Our community lost friends, brothers, sons and fathers," Johnson said. "I am heartbroken for those who lost loved ones and committed to honoring the immense collective impact each of these people had in Tulsa and in the lives of our young people."
DJ, Gilstrap and Walls were part of a competitive travel basketball team, the Oklahoma Chaos.
TPS coaches and educators from Booker T. Washington and Carver Middle School — Kevin D. Williams Sr., Rickey Washington and Eli Brown — said they viewed the three as teammates and "valued members of our community."
"We have been through the ups and downs of competitive sports together, and we saw them achieve great successes while also investing in others’ growth," the trio wrote. "Coach Wayne Walls inspired a generation of young people in Tulsa, using his leadership, teaching, and coaching talents to serve countless students and families. DJ Laster exhibited such bright potential, on and off the court, and had a vibrant presence in our buildings and schools. We miss them already, and mourn this tragic loss."
Dr. Elton Skyes, principal at Nathan Hale High School, served as the principal at Carver Middle School when DJ was a student and Walls was a teacher.
He said it was clear Walls cared for his students as "students, athletes and young people." Skyes said he'll remember DJ as a student who "had the potential to do whatever he wanted to do.
"This is such a devastating tragedy, and two good people are gone way too young," Skyes said.
Before his death, Walls was a coach and paraprofessional with Bartlesville Public Schools. District officials said students and staff will have access to counseling resources as the community processes his loss.
A note addressing available resources was also sent to Carver Middle School families.
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The second 14-year-old victim attended Union High School Freshman Academy.
Union Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Federline shared a statement on the loss of Kyrin Schumpert.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news of the tragic passing of one of our 9th grade students who died in a car accident yesterday. On behalf of the entire Union Public Schools community, I extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, and loved ones,” Federline wrote.
He said the district’s crisis response team has been activated to provide counseling at the freshman academy as well as across the district.
“Licensed counselors, school psychologists, and support staff are available to meet with anyone who may need help processing this tragedy,” Federline said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, and everyone affected by this tragic event.”
Kyrin and DJ were teammates on the Oklahoma Chaos.
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