Des Moines police identify teens who died in stolen car crash

Des Moines police on Friday released the names of the two 15-year-olds and an 18-year-old who died Wednesday in a fatal crash involving a stolen car.

Jamarion Jackson, 18, Eric Vortes Jr., 15, and James “JT” Taylor III, 15, have been identified as the three teens who died after crashing a 2013 Hyundai Sonata that was reported stolen.

The car was spotted by a Des Moines police detective near Ninth and Center streets in downtown Des Moines around 12:42 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release.

The detective monitored the vehicle as it drove through downtown and saw it enter MacRae Park at 1021 Davis Avenue. After a marked patrol car drove in behind him, the car sped off eastbound on Davis Avenue.

The police did not pursue them because they lost sight of the vehicle, according to the press release.

Officers located the crashed Hyundai in the 600 block of Davis Avenue a few minutes later. Officers immediately requested emergency medical services and initiated life-saving operations, including CPR, the release said.

A preliminary investigation reveals the Hyundai was traveling east on Davis Avenue at a high rate of speed, passing the stop sign at Southwest Ninth Street and continuing east, according to a news release. Evidence shows the vehicle struck a northbound curb, left the roadway and struck a tree. All occupants were ejected from the vehicle.