Iowa State Athletics mourns employee killed in Kansas highway crash

AMES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa State Athletics is mourning the loss of an employee who died in a crash on Highway 169 in Kansas over the weekend.

The crash took place just before 5:45 p.m. Sunday in Franklin County, southeast of Topeka.

A crash report says the crash occurred when a southbound SUV tried to pass a slower vehicle, colliding head on with a car.

All four people in the car died, including the driver, 37-year-old Alexander Ernst of Ames.

Four people in the SUV also died.

One is in the hospital.

The SUV was carrying a youth basketball team and family members to Tulsa.

One man recalls the moment the crash happened.

“So, I didn’t see or hear anything until I turned around from locking the gate and saw a giant cloud of smoke. So, I drove down the road, got to the stop sign down there, and just saw a line of cars.” said Blane Siebert.

The driver of the car, Ernst, was a football video production specialist at Iowa State University.

Ernst started as a student at the university, and moved into a full-time position following graduation.

“We are heartbroken by this news,” Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell said. “Alex was an important and valued member of our football family and had a special relationship with so many in our program. He was exceptional at his job and took great pride in what he did. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

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