Randall Vestring is Victim Butler County Kansas Genealogy Trails

Randall Vestring, 18, is victim

Crash kills youth

A smashup between a late model sport coupe and a loaded transport truck and semi-trailer Wednesday night killed Randall L. Vestring, 18, of Burns.

The collision occurred a half mile west of the Haverhill road on the Kechi road about 10:05 p.m.

The Vestring youth’s death is the 21st in traffic mishaps in Butler county this year.

Vestring was driving east in a 1969 model car, which collided with the westbound transport, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The transport was being driven west by Henry K. Prettyman, 52, of Paola. He had left the Skelly refinery only minutes before, hauling a load of highly flammable liquid.

Investigation of the accident indicated that Vestring’s auto and another were apparently drag racing on the blacktopped county highway.

The Vestring auto was in the right-hand lane, when the driver applied the brakes sharply, causing the car to swing sideways into the path of the truck, officers stated.

After the collision, the truck pushed the car 80 feet down the highway. The heavy truck came to a halt with its front wheels on the wrecked car, which had been torn apart by the impact and the weight of the transport.

The car’s engine was torn out of the vehicle and one fender was ripped off.

Officers said Vestring was taken from the accident scene to Allen Memorial hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Highway patrol officers declined to identify the driver of the other auto believed to have been involved in the reported racing. Officers said investigation of the accident is continuing.

A fire engine and tank truck from the El Dorado Department of Public Safety stood by at the scene of the accident to guard against fire until the tank trailer could be removed. Another truck was obtained and brought to the scene. The undamaged trailer was hitched to it and hauled away.

Officers of the Department of Public Safety also went to the scene. State Trooper Roger Higgins and Sheriff Sidney Blakeman conducted the investigation.

The car was demolished and damage to the truck was placed at $10,000. The engine, front wheels, and drive train were damaged in the collision.

Pettyman was not injured. Both he and Vestring were alone in their respective vehicles.

Funeral services for the Vestring youth will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Immaculate Conception church in Burns. The Rev. James S. Wilkinson of Derby will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s cemetery at Burns.

Born at El Dorado on Oct. 19, 1951, young Vestring attended Kapaun High School at Wichita during his freshman and sophomore years, and was graduated from Peabody High school earlier this year. He was attending Butler County Community Junior college.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception church of Burns, the American Hereford association, and the American Quarter Horse association.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Vestring of Burns; two sisters, Cathy Vestring and Terri Vestring, both of the home; and a grandmother, Mrs. Catherine Murray of Augusta.

Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception church.

A memorial in his name has been established with the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Kirby Funeral home is in charge. (The El Dorado, KS, Times ~ Thursday, 6 Nov 1969 ~ Transcribed by Lori DeWinkler)