Kansas Highway Patrol identifies two girls killed in I-435 crash
Two girls who were killed in a crash on westbound Interstate 435 on Sunday have been identified by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
One-year-old Teresa Vasquez and 7-year-old Ruth S. Vasquez were among five people in a van that was stopped on the highway before State Line Road shortly before 5 p.m. A semi tractor-trailer struck the rear of the van.
The Highway Patrol report says it is not known if the children were wearing seat belts or safety restraints.
The driver of the van, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to a hospital. She was reported in critical condition Monday afternoon. Two boys, ages 9 and 14, were also taken to a hospital. It is unknown if either boy was wearing a seat belt. There was no information available on their condition Monday.
The tractor-trailer left the roadway and struck a concrete wall. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was also taken to a hospital. He had been treated and released Monday.
The crash shut down the westbound lanes of the highway for several hours Sunday night.
Matt Campbell: 816-234-4902, @MattCampbellKC
This story was originally published February 19, 2018 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Kansas Highway Patrol identifies two girls killed in I-435 crash."