Two Billie Eilish concertgoers, 18, killed in crash as cops chased ‘kidnapper’ who ‘snatched baby and its mom’
TWO teenage Billie Eilish fans were killed en route to the star’s concert after being caught up in a high-speed police chase.
Cops were hunting for a man who allegedly kidnapped a baby, one, and its mom.
The police chase started in Iowa but ended up coming to a halt in Missouri, according to Fremont County cops.
But the man, who was driving a Kia and traveling in the wrong direction, crashed into a Ford Focus that had three 18-year-olds inside.
The Kia driver, from Bellevue, Nebraska, plowed into the teens’ car, killing Kole Cunningham and Lucy Yeates.
Kole, Lucy, and her twin sister Aubrey were traveling to Eilish’s concert in Omaha, Nebraska before tragedy struck.
Aubrey was injured and was rushed to the hospital, a GoFundMe post said.
The Yeates family described what unfolded as a “senseless and tragic event.”
They said it had “left our families with a hole that will never be filled,” as reported by The Kansas City Star.
Kole, who was driving, was an avid music fan and shared snaps of him at Adele and Olivia Rodrigo gigs.
Weeks before the tragedy, he watched Adele perform in Las Vegas.
He said the concert was something he would remember forever, per an Instagram post.
Meanwhile, Aubrey and Lucy were in higher education.
Kole shared a montage of images from their prom, which was held in April.
Cops have released further details relating to the crash.
They responded to a call from a woman who claimed she and her baby had been kidnapped.
Yeates family statement
Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham were killed en-route to a Billie Eilish concert. Lucy's sister Aubrey was injured. The Yeates family has issued a statement.
“This incredibly senseless and tragic event has left our families with a hole that will never be filled.
“We thank our friends, family and community for their support, love and prayers as we come together to help Aubrey recover from this horrific experience.”
Source: Kansas City Star
She was dropped off at a hospital in Hamburg, Iowa before he allegedly fled with the baby.
The woman told police that the man was suicidal.
Cops revealed the Kia driver was traveling at high speed, going south while other cars were heading north.
He reached speeds of more than 100mph, according to cops.
The kidnapping suspect hit the Ford Focus as it was passing a Volvo truck.
The Volvo collided with a Chevy Tahoe patrol car.
Then, the Kia Sorento burst into a fireball, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cops scrambled to rescue the baby from the burning wreckage and revealed the child was airlifted to hospital but suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
More than $20,000 has been raised in the fundraiser that was created.
Eilish has spoken out about the tragedy.
“Sending so much love to the families. So heartbreaking,” she posted on social media.
The Missouri State Police are probing the crash.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.