Dec 26, 2020

KHP: 2 dead after crash during stolen pickup chase

Posted Dec 26, 2020 9:00 PM

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident during a police pursuit just before 2p.m. Christmas Day in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Kansas City Kansas Police officer was eastbound on Orville Avenue in pursuit of a 2002 Ford F250 driven by Roberto Vallejo-Avelrya, Jr., 22, Kansas City, Kansas.

The pickup was confirmed stolen and had rammed a KCKPD patrol vehicle near the 2500 block of Grandview Boulevard.

The driver disregarded a stop sign and the pickup entered the intersection at North 17th Street and struck a northbound 2009 Cadillac DTS driven by  Mario F. Madruga, 89, Kan., on its driver's side.

The impact forced the Cadillac into the yard of 401 North 17th Street where it struck a tree.

Madruga and a passenger Delia Madruga, 85, Kansas City, Kan. were pronounced dead at the scene.  EMS transported a passenger in the pickup  Jesse A. Acosta III, 26, Kansas City, Kan. to KU Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat 

Vallejo-Avelrya, Jr. then fled on foot from the area.  Police have not reported an arrest in the case.