Deadly end to prom: Head-on crash kills 2 Shawnee Mission teens

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) confirms the deaths of two teenagers following prom Saturday.

The crash happened late on April 19, around 11:15 p.m., as Jose M. Placensia Castañeda, 17, was driving south on Metcalf near Johnson Drive. He crossed the median and hit an oncoming vehicle head-on.

KHP said Castañeda and his 18-year-old passenger, Itzel Guerra, both died of their injuries. Neither was wearing a seatbelt.

A Shawnee Mission School District spokesperson confirms both victims were students at Shawnee Mission South High School.

The driver of the other car, a 44-year-old woman from Kansas City, Missouri, was wearing a seatbelt but suffered what appeared to be serious injuries. Her passenger, a 41-year-old Kansas City woman, suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to an area hospital for treatment.

According to a GoFundMe page created by Castañeda’s older brother, Raul, he describes him as full of light-hearted mischief and a teenager always ready to make others laugh.

He said, “We were so close growing up, people thought we were twins... I love you, little bro.”

Guerra is remembered as full of life with a wicked sense of humor and a love for The Corpse Bride.

A son and a daughter who never made it home from their last dance leave a whole community grieving.

In a statement, the principal at Shawnee Mission South High School urged students to find support and reminded families to hold space for their children to feel and process this loss.

“As you can imagine, it will be an extremely difficult time for the Castañeda and Guerra families. Our hearts go out to them, and we will stand with them as they work to process their grief. Death is always difficult to handle, but particularly so when it happens to students who are so young,” said Dr. Todd Dain.

KCTV5 reached out to the Kansas Highway Patrol for more information on the crash.

Investigators said they still don’t know what caused the car to cross the median.

KHP said this tragedy highlights the critical importance of always wearing a seatbelt.

If you would like to donate to Jose Castañeda’s family, click here.

If you would like to donate to Itzel Guerra’s family, click here.

Shawnee Mission School District said grief counselors will be on hand to support students and staff when they return to school on Tuesday.

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