Updated 12:20 p.m. Sunday
Two teenagers were killed early Sunday in a fiery crash along K-18, southwest of Manhattan.
Emergency crews called out shortly after 1 a.m. found a single-vehicle on fire under the Scenic Drive overpass. The Kansas Highway Patrol says an eastbound SUV, carrying five people, left the roadway after the driver lost control for an unknown reason. The vehicle entered the south ditch and struck the concrete bridge pillar, which caused the vehicle to catch fire.
According to the crash report, two passengers, 14-year-old Kenni Cantu and 14-year-old Gaysha Alfred, both of Manhattan, died at the scene. Officers say it’s unknown if they were wearing seat belts.
Another passenger, 14-year-old Jean Carlos Vazques-Ponce, of Manhattan, was flown to KU Medical Center for a suspected serious injury. The crash report indicated he was not wearing a seat belt.
The driver, 17-year-old Paris Burgess and 13-year-old passenger Alecia Smith-Haynes, both of Manhattan, sustained minor injuries and were transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Both were wearing seat belts.
According to RCPD spokesperson Aaron Wintermote, four RCPD officers also were treated and released for smoke inhalation while responding to the crash.
RCPD, Manhattan and Riley County Fire, Riley County EMS and KHP all responded to the crash.
9:30 a.m. Sunday
A fiery crash along K-18 early Sunday killed two people.
Emergency crews were dispatched shortly after 1 a.m. to the report of single-vehicle accident involving a fully engulfed car under the Scenic Drive overpass. Riley County Police officers, Manhattan and Riley County Fire and Riley County EMS all responded to the scene. The eastbound lane was closed for several hours, and remained closed as of 9 a.m. Sunday.
According to RCPD Public Information Officer Aaron Wintermote, two people in the car died at the scene. Two additional passengers were transported to Ascension Via Christi, with one life-flighted to KU Medical Center. In addition, four RCPD officers were treated for smoke inhalation and later released.
Additional details, including names of those involved, are pending from the Kansas Highway Patrol.
