DES MOINES – Police located a stolen car in downtown Des Moines and the driver decided to flee, then crash the vehicle, resulting in three teens perishing.
Des Moines Police Department reported that on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at approximately 12:42 PM, their detective spotted an occupied stolen 2013 Hyundai Sonata, in traffic near 9th Street and Center Street. The detective announced this on the radio, and began to monitor the movement of the car as it traveled southbound through downtown. As the detective and the Des Moines Police Department Communications Center coordinated a response from patrol officers, the Hyundai entered into McRae Park. As a marked patrol vehicle entered into the park, the Hyundai drove off the roadway and around the approaching patrol car. The Hyundai exited the park on to Davis Avenue, turning eastbound, and accelerated away at a high rate of speed. Officers did not initiate a pursuit as the Hyundai continued across SW 9th Street and out of sight.
At 12:49 PM, officers located the Hyundai, crashed in the 600 block of Davis Avenue. Officers immediately requested emergency medical services and initiated lifesaving efforts, including CPR.
One person was deceased at the scene.
Des Moines Fire Department medics transported the three other occupants, all critically injured, to local hospitals.
Later, police reported that three teens had died as a result of this incident. The deceased occupants have been identified as an 18-year-old male, a 15-year-old male, and a 15- year-old male. The person hospitalized is an 18-year-old male.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle struck the north curb in the 600 block of Davis Avenue, left the roadway, and struck a tree. All occupants were ejected from the vehicle upon impact.
After another update, police say the persons who died in this crash have been identified as 18-year-old Jamarion Jackson, 15-year- old Eric Vortes, Jr., and 15-year-old James “JT” Taylor III.
The critically injured 18-year-old remains hospitalized.
The Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit continues this investigation.
