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Wichita police say a white SUV struck a silver Chevrolet Impala at the intersection of Maple and Tracy near Towne West Square early July 27.

Hit-and-run claims two local men
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: July 31, 2014

Two Valley Center men and a woman from McPherson were killed in a hit-and-run wreck early July 27 in Wichita, and a 31-year-old Wichita man was arrested on second-degree murder charges.

Zack Taylor, Jake Hallacy, both 26 and both from Valley Center, and Emily Phillips, 21, of McPherson were pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck. Two others in the four-door Chevrolet — the driver and front-seat passenger — were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Wichita police said the victims' vehicle was traveling north on Tracy near Towne West Square when it was hit by the suspect's SUV, which was eastbound on Maple.

Police said the driver of the SUV, a white Ford Expedition, did not attempt to stop.

Police said the driver, who fled the scene on foot and was later arrested, had just left a nearby bar before the crash occurred.

The three victims were passengers in the back seat. They were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck.

The 23-year-old driver and a 19-year-old passenger in the front seat were wearing seat belts, police said. The women were taken to St. Francis hospital. The passenger was released July 28, while the driver remained hospitalized.

The wreck happened about 2 a.m.

Police said the suspect, who was identified as Juan Pablo Gandara-Rodela, ran from the intersection and was found about one and one-half hours later at his home in the 4400 block of South Victoria in Wichita.

Gandara-Rodela was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of three counts of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, reckless driving, disobeying a traffic signal and failure to stop at an accident.

Police said Gandara-Rodela's vehicle ran a red light at the intersection.

Sgt. Travis Rakeshaw said police are investigating whether alcohol played a role in the wreck. Lt. Todd Ojile said in a news conference that it appeared that alcohol was a factor.

Taylor and Hallacy had gone to Valley Center High School together. They were seniors in 2007.

According to school records, Taylor graduated in 2007, and Hallacy was enrolled in The Learning Center in 2007 and 2008.

Friends and former classmates remembered Taylor and Hallacy as fun-loving men who were always smiling. They were described as "good-ol' boys," who would do anything to help someone.

"Zack always had a way to, if you were in a bad mood, he'd put a smile on your face no matter what," said Brett Harris, who went to school with Taylor and Hallacy. "He was down to earth, a good guy, just real cool."

Taylor and Hallacy enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding four-wheelers.

Harris said he never saw Hallacy mad at anyone.

"He was always in a happy mood," Harris said. "… They were good guys, man."

A fund has been set up through www.youcaring.com to help Hallacy's family pay funeral expenses.

Friends are planning an event Aug. 2 at Spirits Pub as a fundraiser for the families. A band will play. All proceeds at the door will go to the families and donation buckets will be set up.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. July 31 at Lifepoint Church in Valley Center. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Aug. 1 at New Spring Church, 12200 E. 21st, Wichita. Burial will be in Kechi Township Cemetery, 6523 N. Hillside. There will be a potluck dinner following the graveside held at the Prairie Rose, 15231 NW Parallel St., Benton.





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