KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Back in August, 21-year-old Tarey Johnson smashed his car into another car then took off running.
It was just before 3:00 a.m. when Elle Walters and her boyfriend, Ty Salistean, were leaving an event. It was at the intersection of 31st Street and Euclid Avenue. The couple died that day, leaving family members wondering why.
“It was the most shocking news I’ve ever received,” said Elle’s ex-husband, Randy Walters. “It was the worst day of my life.”
It was August 11, 2013 when Walters received phone call that the mother of his two kids had been killed in a car wreck.
“Just because we were split up, we were close, and we had a better relationship now than we did when we were married,” he said.
Elle wasn’t alone that day. Her boyfriend was in the car too, and was also killed.
“It’s tough, raising them isn’t really the tough part, it’s knowing how to kind of guide them through this tragedy. That’s the toughest part,” said Walters.
21-year-old Tarey Johnson, who police said crashed into the couple that day, has finally been charged. Police said he fled the scene and has not been found yet.
“He hasn’t turned himself in,” says Randy, “I just can’t believe he has that little of a conscience.”
Walters said this is a classic case of life not being fair.
“He’s able to go to the store, he’s able to call his mom if he wants to. I’ve got two children, one that will not have his mom at his graduation this year,” he added. “My daughter, they were best friends, so my daughter doesn’t have a best friend.”
He hopes that justice is served, but feels no punishment will ever be enough.
“I want him to face the consequences. Who can put a price on someone’s life?” Walters asked.
Walters hopes that by sharing his story someone will call police about where the suspect is. If you have any information on this case, you are urged to call the tips hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.