UPDATE: Three Killed in McPherson County Crash

Three people were killed in a head-on crash on a highway in rural McPherson County Wednesday morning.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol. the Little River Police Department was in pursuit of a 2017 Nissan Versa headed east on U.S. 56 Highway. As the Nissan crossed out of Rice County and into western McPherson County, for an unknown reason it crossed the center line and collided nearly head-on with an oncoming 1998 Ford Thunderbird.

The driver and a passenger in the Nissan were both killed. They were identified as 29-year-old Miguel Casas from El Monte, California, and 28-year -old Sara Morales from Rosemead, California.

The driver of the Thunderbird was also killed. He was identified as 73-year-old Gerald Mindrup from Windom, Kansas.

All three victims were buckled up.

The crash happened at 7:55 Monday morning.

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ORIGINAL: Three people were killed in a head-on crash on a highway in rural McPherson County Wednesday morning.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner the crash happened on U.S. 56 Highway near the Rice / McPherson County line. Rice County law enforcement was attempting to stop a vehicle which was headed east and driving erratically. As it crossed into western McPherson County, it collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle which was headed west.

The drivers of both vehicles were killed, as was a passenger in the vehicle which was driving erratically headed east.

Names of the victims were not immediately released, pending notification of next of kin.

The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.