Ames Mann, who was killed in Kansas Crash, remembered as a committed member of the Cyclone Football Program

Franklin County, Kan. – A tragic crash in the Southeastern of Kansa on Sunday evening demanded the life of an Ames man with a deep association to Iowa State University.

Alex Ernst, 37, was one of eight people who, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol, were killed in a frontal collision shortly before 6 p.m. The investigators say that an SUV towards the south tried to pass another car and fell into an oncoming vehicle – both catch fire after the impact.

Ernst drove the car that was hit. Also in the vehicle were three members of the Elliott family from Chesterfield, Missouri-76-year-old John Elliott, 69-year-old Norleen Elliott and 33-year-old Madalyn Elliott. All four were killed.

The driver of the SUV, the 33-year-old Jaimon Gilstrap from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and three of his passengers also died two 14-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man. A 15-year-old boy survived with minor injuries. All participants reported seat belts.

On Monday, Iowa State Athletics confirmed that Ernst was a long -time member of the Cyclone Football Stab and served almost 20 years behind the scenes as a specialist in video production. As a student, he entered the program for the first time and later became a full -time employee after he had followed two deals from ISU.

“Alex was an undisclosed hero who played an important role in the success of our department,” said Jamie Pollard, director of ISU Athletics. “Everyone in the Isu Athletics Department family keeps Alex 'relatives and friends in their thoughts and asked.”

Head coach Matt Campbell also shared his condolences and called Ernst “an important and valued member of our football family”.

The crash is examined.