18 March 2024
SALINA, Kan. (KSNW) — Two teenagers died in a crash west of Salina Friday evening. The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is investigating if the teens were drag racing before their car hit a pickup head-on.
The crash happened in the 2800 block of W. Crawford just before 6:30 p.m.
According to the sheriff, investigators think two Chevrolet Camaros were possibly racing each other westbound on Crawford. One of the Camaros was on the wrong side of the road and crashed with an eastbound pickup.
The driver of that Camaro, 17-year-old Vance McComber, and his front-seat passenger, 17-year-old Anthony Windell, died. Another passenger in the car, also 17 years old, was taken to the hospital in serious condition. He is expected to survive.
A 41-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter were in the pickup. They also have serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Sheriff Roger Soldan said deputies found evidence of drag racing. He says it is possible the drivers had the sun in their eyes as they headed west and did not see the pickup coming toward them.
He said another vehicle had veered out of the way of McComber’s car before the crash.
Soldan said the driver of the other Camaro was 20 and stayed at the scene.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate.