Eight Killed in Fiery Head-On Crash on U.S. 169 in Kansas, Including Oklahoma Student and School Staff

2 high schoolers and their basketball coaches among 8 killed in fiery, head-on crash

A devastating head-on collision between two vehicles on a rural stretch of U.S. Highway 169 in eastern Kansas has left eight people dead and one hospitalized. The crash occurred around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday near Greeley, Kansas, approximately 60 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The impact caused both vehicles to burst into flames. Only one person, whose identity has not yet been released, managed to escape the wreckage and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Their condition has not been made public.

Debris remains at the scene of a crash outside Greeley, Kansas, on Monday, May 5.

Among the deceased were three individuals associated with Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma. Donald “DJ” Laster, a student at Booker T. Washington High School, died in the crash alongside Wayne Walls, a former coach and teacher at Carver Middle School, and Ja’mon Gilstrap, a member of the district’s transportation team.

The loss has deeply impacted the Tulsa educational community. Dr. Ebony Johnson, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, expressed her grief, stating, “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. 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.”

Debris remains at the scene of a crash outside Greeley, Kansas, on Monday, May 5.

The highway was shut down for four hours following the collision as authorities conducted investigations and cleared the scene. Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Jodi Clary confirmed that the cause of the crash remains under investigation and emphasized the severity of the fire, noting that “both cars burned up.”

The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to work at the crash site to determine the sequence of events that led to the deadly accident.

Two high school students and two travel basketball coaches were killed in a fiery, head-on collision leaving a tournament. Four other people died in the crash, and one was injured.

Officials confirmed that one of the students killed is D.J. Laster.