Hutchinson

Parents killed in crash, boy survives

Ron and Sandy Fuller always made sure their 8-year-old son was wearing his seat belt when they went out, friends said.

That seat belt saved the boy’s life when the van the family was in flipped near Hutchinson on Kansas 96, said Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson.

But his parents – who were not wearing their seat belts – did not survive Wednesday’s crash. The boy was released to an uncle after being treated at a Wichita hospital.

Ron, 68, and Sandy, 45, were returning from a trip to Denver to visit a relative when the crash happened. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office said Sandy was driving when the van hit the median and rolled several times. The couple was thrown from the vehicle.

The couple had been married for almost 25 years, said Kim Russell, who used to work with them at City Blue Print. They were thrilled when Christian finally came along.

“Everything was about him,” Russell said.

Olathe

13-year-old boys charged in carport fire

Two 13-year-old boys have been charged with multiple felony counts in an arson fire that burned a carport at an Overland Park apartment complex, leaving 16 vehicles damaged or destroyed.

Prosecutors said the estimated property damage – about $150,000, according to police – was among the highest ever pinned on juvenile suspects in Johnson County.

The boys appeared in court Wednesday, one week after the early morning fire at the Louisburg Square Apartments, on 17 felony arson counts apiece. They were ordered held in juvenile detention until their next court appearance July 19.

Investigators said the fire began in a trash container and spread to the carport, which collapsed in flames. About a dozen vehicles under the carport were demolished.