Basketball coach Wayne Walls passed away in a devastating wreck in Franklin County, Kansas, just before 6 p.m. on Sunday.
A tragic accident occurred when two vehicles collided head-on and burst into flames on U.S. Highway 169, near the town of Greeley, Kansas.
Sadly, eight people lost their lives, including students and staff connected to Tulsa Public Schools.
Wayne Walls, Donald “DJ” Laster, and Ja’mon Gilstrap have been identified as victims of the tragic crash.
Authorities have not yet publicly released the names of the remaining five victims.
It is reported that Wayne Walls’ son was the only survivor of the crash. He is recently in the hospital receiving treatment.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, and the community is mourning the devastating loss.
Former Coach And Teacher Wayne Walls Loved Basketball And Kids!
Tulsa resident Wayne Walls was originally from Landover, Maryland. He was most recently a paraprofessional and basketball coach at Bartlesville High School.
Before that, he coached 6th and 7th-grade basketball at Sapulpa and was a social studies teacher at George Washington Carver Middle School in Tulsa.
Additionally, as evident from his Facebook Intro, he worked as a Therapist U/S LPC Candidate at Youth and Family Services of Washington Co., Inc., and a Juvenile Detention Counselor at the Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau Detention Center.
Walls was likely in his mid-30s at the time of his passing, as he graduated in 2007.
As we scroll through Wayne Walls’ Facebook, it appears that he was likely a devoted father and a loving husband.
He shared pictures of a young kid, hinting at his role as a father, and others have referenced him as a good son.
Langston University graduate Walls was known for his deep passion for basketball and his dedication to mentoring young athletes.
Friends and colleagues remember him as a caring and influential figure who always put kids first.
Chivas Miller, a close friend of Wayne Walls, expressed deep sorrow over his passing. He recalled their friendship, saying:
It hurts because Wayne Walls was a dear friend of mine.
Miller and Walls bonded over basketball and often sought advice from each other, not just about the game, but about life.
Miller emphasized Walls’ dedication to young athletes, stating,
It was all about putting the kids first, and I feel like that’s why everybody loved him more than anything, because he not only cared about the kids, he cared about people in general.
He described Walls as someone who built strong relationships with students and always put others before himself.
Additionally, reflecting on the loss, Miller said:
It’s a void that I’m going to have to fill. I would challenge people to just continue to try and stay strong and continue to try and carry their spirit on and putting the kids first.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Wayne Walls’ family, friends, and well-wishers.
Rest In Peace, Legend!
