KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two Shawnee Mission South High School students were identified as the victims in a deadly crash over the weekend.
Senior Itzel Guerra, 18, and her boyfriend, junior José Placensia Castañeda, 17, were leaving prom Saturday night when the crash occurred.
Placensia was driving a Toyota Corolla southbound on Metcalf near 58th Street when he crossed the median and struck a Kia Optima head-on, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol crash log.
Guerra and Placensia were not wearing seatbelts, per KHP's report.
The driver and occupant of the Kia sustained serious and minor injuries, respectively.
"Death is always difficult to handle, but particularly so when it happens to students who are so young," Shawnee Mission South Principal Dr. Todd Dain wrote in a letter to families Monday. Dain said his heart went out to the Castañeda and Guerra families.
Dain said school and district staff are available to help families and students trying to make sense of what happened.
"Please encourage your child to express their feelings, and be there to talk with them about what has happened," Dain advised parents and guardians.
LINK | Read Dain's letter in English
LINK | Read Dain's letter in Spanish
A family friend of Guerra said the 18-year-old had a vibrant personality, playful spirit and sense of humor that “deeply impacted those around her.”
She loved dance, Tim Burton films and had a love for children, which she showed through her work at Primrose Daycare. Guerra had hopes of graduating high school and pursuing a higher education degree in child development.
The family friend said she hopes Guerra is remembered for her “beautiful smile and zest for life.”
Guerra is survived by her mother and younger brother.
Placensia’s older brother, Raul Placensia, said his brother touched many people during his time at Shawnee Mission South.
“He always brought a smile to your face either by a funny remark or just by being lightheartedly mischievous. He was always there for others no matter what,” he said.
Placensia’s family has created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and medical expenses.
Guerra’s family has created a similar fundraiser.
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