Shawnee parents continue fight for justice after son’s deadly crash

SHAWNEE, Kan. — An everlasting amount of grief for two Shawnee parents. Still mourning more than a year after their youngest son was tragically killed in a car crash.

“It’s just a pain that is indescribable and so it’s hard to imagine that it’s ever going to feel better,” Sharon Ensley said.

But the person responsible for his death was charged with only a misdemeanor. That has intensified their fight for justice.

Speaking with FOX4, not only to remember their son, who was their favorite swimmer, but a plea that their cries will shake the walls of the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.

Because what has been left behind is nothing compared to what the Ensley’s expected – for example the swimming pool at Shawnee Mission Northwest is the “Will Ensley Memorial Pool.”
A great honor but one no parent wants when the cost is the life of their 17-year-old son.

“He was a wonderful son, he was just a parents dream, he didn’t push the boundaries, he did what he needed to do,” Sharon said.

“He was just a neat kid, smart, funny, talented, hardworking and if he was into something he was really into it,” Randall Ensley said.

A real-life Superman from when he was a young kid until he started to pursue his dream.

Will, a super…man in the water. He loved the sport so much he was the manager for the girl’s team just to be around the sport.

“He was just such a good kid, he worked hard for the things that he was passionate about, he worked hard in school, he was a good friend, he was a good brother,” Sharon said.

He had a dream to swim for the University of Texas, a dream that will never be realized. The idea he can’t be here to do that, an unimaginable reality for his biggest fans.

“The only thing more horrible than that realization was the final half hour with him,” Randall said.

On July 26 of last year Will, in his pickup truck was headed to AM swim practice and was struck by a dump truck .

The impact caused a 9-car pile-up, the dump truck ended up parked on top of will’s truck.

A police officer of more than 30 years at the time said it was the worst wreck he’d ever seen.

The man driving that truck, Darrin Boomershine of Independence, Missouri would be charged nearly five months later with vehicular homicide a misdemeanor which carries a max of a year behind bars and a $2,500 fine.

Even though, according to the Ensley’s, they have been told the driver’s speed never changed, on top of the fact he was driving an unregistered vehicle.

“This was entirely preventable, didn’t need to happen and through gross negligence, recklessness, whatever you want to call it, it did,” Randall said.

Recently they were informed that the Johnson County DA’s office was working on a plea deal with Boomershine. That’s compelled the Ensley’s to speak, fight for their son.

“The reaction was disappointment. I’m not even saying what they are doing is wrong, it’s not just what we want, what we think is just,” Randall said.

FOX4 reached out to the DA’s office. They say ethically they are limited on what they can say, but as of now they have not formerly agreed to a plea. Boomershine is due back in court September 19.

As for the Ensley’s, they have set up a scholarship fund in Will’s honor, the first scholarships will go to Will’s swim teammates starting next year in 2025.

If you would like to donate – you can do so by contacting Morgan Stanley/Attention: Mary McGonigal 1301 A Street, Suite 300 Tacoma, WA 98402 Office: 253.593.5015. The formal charity name: Will M Ensley Memorial Scholarship Foundation EIN: 93-4199248 – Foundation Account # 110 078854

Sharon Ensley, Will’s mom stresses the importance of being an organ donor because Will saved three lives.

After Will passed away his teammates went to the Ensley house and asked Will’s dad if he would join the coaching staff. Randall Ensley completed his first year as assistant swim coach at Shawnee Mission Northwest last winter and he’ll be back for season two this winter.

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