Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The identity of the man killed in a traffic crash at 29th Street North and Somerset at approximately 2:57 a.m. on Sunday, February 7th has been established. Twenty-eight-year-old Hugo Ramirez of Wichita was killed when he lost control of his 2003 Corvette and struck a utility pole on the northeast corner of 29th St. and Somerset.

The investigation into the crash continues.

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February 7, 2009

One person was killed in a fiery crash in North Wichita early Sunday. The accident happened at the intersection of 29th St. N. and Cromwell Dr., which is just east of 29th and Amidon.

Wichita Police Sgt. Colin Gallagher says witnesses called 911 at about 3:00 a.m. to report the accident. They said a yellow Corvette was going west on 29th and slammed into an electric pole and then caught fire.

"Once the vehicle struck the pole, it came to rest approximately 50 yards away, where the vehicle caught fire," Gallagher said. "The electrical lines were still hot when we arrived on scene. We had to wait for Westar to be able to shut them down before fire could put water on it."

Fire crews were leery of the lines snapping and falling into the vehicle and electrocuting the first responders. Therefore, there was a delay in being able to get to the victim who was trapped inside. After the fire was out and the power lines shut down, EMS crews pronounced the unidentified victim dead at the scene.