KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The former head football coach at Olathe North High School was killed Monday afternoon in a traffic wreck on Interstate 35.

David K. Bassore, 51, of Liberty, died before paramedics arrived.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the wreck happened in the northbound lanes near the 18th Street Expressway exit. Investigators said a Dodge Neon clipped Bassore's pickup truck, then the pickup went off the road, rolling twice before it stopped on its side. Bassore was thrown from the vehicle.

"When I could see the pickup on its side, I knew it was going to be serious," said Tom Balfour, who was southbound on I-35 when he saw dust and smoke shooting up in the opposite lanes.

Investigators said they suspect the 16-year-old driver of the Neon was drag racing with another vehicle at the time of the wreck.

'Dave Cared For The Kids'

Bassore had recently resigned from his coaching position at Olathe after being at the school a year.

Friends and colleagues of Bassore said he had a big impact on students and staff. Bassore was remembered as being confident and full of energy, a well-spoken and genuine man who could laugh at himself.

"People knew Dave cared for the kids and the kids knew he cared for them -- that's a lot of what they were sharing this morning," Olathe North Athletic Director Jerry Banks told KMBC's Donna Pitman.

Banks said the students are having a hard time with the news.

"They talked to him yesterday, and not having him here -- it's hard for anybody to understand," Banks said.

He said some are angry that Bassore may have died because of drag racing.

"Even though there is anger, you have to think of those kids, too. Not something I imagine they were going to do that day when they went out," Banks said.

Police said the teenage driver is in custody and is facing charges in the case.

E-Mail: Contact Donna Pitman