A devastating early morning crash in Potter County has claimed the life of 18-year-old Tori Dakota Bunch of Panhandle, while 17-year-old Elias Shane Kincanon of Amarillo remains seriously injured following a violent head-on collision. The tragic incident occurred around 5:51 a.m. on State Highway 136, just south of El Rancho Road, leaving two families forever changed.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, preliminary findings indicate that Kincanon was driving a 2016 Ford F-150 northbound in the southbound lane when it collided head-on with a 2017 Ford Fusion driven by Bunch. The wrong-way travel led to a catastrophic impact that caused severe damage to both vehicles and triggered an urgent emergency response.
Moments after the crash, the Ford F-150 caught fire, escalating the danger at the scene. Quick-thinking bystanders rushed in and managed to pull Kincanon from the burning vehicle before flames fully engulfed it, likely saving his life. He was transported to a hospital in Amarillo, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries.
Despite rapid response efforts, Bunch was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of her injuries. Her passing has left the Panhandle community grieving the sudden loss of a young life filled with promise.
Authorities confirmed both drivers were wearing seatbelts. A secondary crash occurred shortly after but resulted in no additional injuries. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine what caused the wrong-way driving that led to this tragedy.
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