Mar 18, 2024

Sheriff: Kan. teens were drag racing before fatal head-on crash

Posted Mar 18, 2024 4:45 PM

SALINE COUNTY—Two Kansas teens died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Friday in Saline County.

According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan, a 2001 Chevrolet Camero driven by Vance McComber 17, Salina, was drag racing a 2017 Chevy Camaro westbound in the 2800 Block of West Crawford Street just west of Fairchild Road.

The 2001 Camaro struck an eastbound 2022 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 41-year-old Rosa Vasquez head-on.

In addition to McComber, a passenger identified as 17-year-old Anthony Windell of Salina, who sat in the passenger seat of the 2001 Camaro also died in the crash.

EMS transported a second passenger in the 2001 Camaro, 17-year-old Alphonso Torres Ramirez to Salina Regional Health Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. EMS transported Vasquez and a 12-year-old passenger in the pickup to Salina Regional Health Center with severe but non-life-threatening injuries.

"We are still investigating all the circumstances of the crash, but at this time, it appears there were indications that they were drag racing west, but for whatever reason, they didn't see the truck coming," Soldan said. "Whether it was the sun or they were distracted by watching what's going on with the guy beside him or what."

Soldan said another vehicle was present at the scene of the crash, which veered out of the way of McComber's Camaro before the head-on crash.