Mason Gann, Kade Nelson, Emmett Darnell Killed in Van Rollover Coming Home from NHRA Seminar

A van coming home from an NHRA seminar on February 21, was in a single-vehicle accident around 10:00 p.m.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety reported that a van with 7 high school students, 1 Eastern Arizona College student, and the driver were traveling east on U.S. Highway 70. For reasons that have not been determined, the van crossed the center line in the road.

The van ended up leaving the roadway completely and rolled.

Three of the high school students were ejected from the van as it rolled. The five others inside the van received minor injuries. The three ejected high schoolers died at the scene of the accident.

Through social media and fundraisers, the names of the victims were released. Mason Gann, Kade Nelson, and Emmett Darnell were the victims in the rollover accident.

The students were returning home from Chandler. The NHRA holds a YES (Youth and Education Services) seminar every Friday at the 24 races that they hold nationwide.

All of the high school students in the van were a part of a program offered through Eastern Arizona College. The GIFT program allows high school students to receive college credit in various areas of study.

Richie Gunn, the father of Mason Gunn, was the leader in a truck cruise that was held for the three fallen high schoolers. It started at Pima High School and went down Highway 70. The turnout was more than they could have expected. The community came together to support the teens killed in the accident.

Over 100 vehicles took part in the truck cruise. They encouraged older trucks to join. One of the teens was an enthusiast of older model trucks.

The survivors of the accident were taken to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries they sustained in the accident. All of their injuries were considered to be non-life threatening.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is still investigating the accident and looking for the cause.