Teen basketball players were among those who died in a Kansas highway crash that killed 8
The small town of Greeley, Kansas, was struck by tragedy when a fiery head-on highway crash resulted in the deaths of eight people, including two teenage basketball players, a coach, and a trainer from the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. The group was returning from a tournament when the fatal accident occurred on a two-lane stretch of US 169, approximately 60 miles southwest of Kansas City.
The victims of the crash included members of a St. Louis-area family, as well as three teenagers and two adults from Tulsa. Among the deceased were Donald “DJ” Laster, a 14-year-old student at Booker T. Washington High School, and Kyrin Schumpert, a ninth-grader at the Union High School Freshman Academy. Both boys were part of the Oklahoma Chaos youth basketball program, and their tragic deaths have left the organization reeling.
A third teenager from Tulsa survived the crash with potentially minor injuries and was hospitalized for treatment. The impact of the accident was devastating for the tight-knit community of basketball players, coaches, and families involved in the program.
Ron Horton, a teacher at Booker T. Washington, paid tribute to DJ Laster, describing him as a special student-athlete who excelled both academically and athletically. Laster’s presence on the varsity basketball team as a freshman was a testament to his talent and hard work, and he was known for his ability to uplift those around him.
The adults who lost their lives in the crash were identified as Wayne Walls, a former teacher and coach at Carver Middle School, and Ja’mon Gilstrap, a trainer and driver with Tulsa Public Schools. The survivor of the accident was Braden Walls, also from Talala, Oklahoma.
The collision also claimed the lives of Alexander Ernst from Ames, Iowa, and members of the Elliott family from Chesterfield, Missouri. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred when Gilstrap attempted to pass another vehicle, causing both vehicles to swerve into the northbound lane and collide, resulting in a fiery inferno.
The close-knit communities of Tulsa and St. Louis are mourning the loss of their loved ones, and the tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life. As the investigation into the crash continues, families, friends, and teammates are coming together to support each other through this difficult time, honoring the memories of those who were lost in the devastating accident.
