An 18-year-old has tragically died on the way to a Kansas City Chiefs game after being surprised with tickets by his mom.
In a heartrending turn of events, what was supposed to be a celebratory journey to a Chiefs game ended in catastrophe for a family from Norman, Oklahoma.
Eighteen-year-old Connor Barba and his mother, Megan Barnett, were involved in a tragic car collision that claimed Connor’s life and left his mother seriously injured, PEOPLE reports.
Connor, described by family as an “outstanding young man” filled with joy and a bright smile, was said to be thrilled about attending the Monday Night Football matchup between the Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The teen had received the tickets from his mom as a birthday surprise, a moment captured in a statement shared through a GoFundMe page dedicated to supporting his family.
“Megan surprised Connor with tickets to a Monday Night Football game between the Chiefs and Bucs,” the statement reads. “Unfortunately, they were involved in a head-on collision on the way to Kansas City that tragically took Connor’s life.
“Megan is currently in the ICU in Tulsa and has many injuries that will require extensive recovery. We are asking for your support to help with medical bills and funeral costs.”
Tragically, the celebration was cut short on Saturday, November 2, as they traveled through southeast Kansas.
According to a Kansas Highway Patrol crash report, their vehicle was hit by a Chevrolet Camaro that crossed into their lane on U.S. 169 near Cherryvale. The Camaro’s driver, 45-year-old Joseph Savage of Coffeyville, also died in the incident.
Megan is currently fighting for her life in the intensive care unit of a Tulsa hospital.
The GoFundMe set up for the Barba family has raised over $90,000, reflecting the community’s outpouring of support.
Colin Barnett, Connor’s uncle, recounted to KAKE-TV that Connor’s quick reaction to swerve and brake might have saved his mother’s life, even though it led to him bearing the brunt of the impact.
“Connor swerved right in a way and slammed on the brakes as hard as he could,” the devastated uncle said. “When Connor did that, he took the full brunt of the [Camaro].”
The uncle also shared Connor’s anticipation of seeing his favorite player, Baker Mayfield, in action, while his mom looked forward to possibly seeing Taylor Swift at the game, supporting her boyfriend, Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
“He was an outstanding young man,” Connor’s uncle added. “He had a lot of light. He had an incredible amount of joy and an incredible smile.”
Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those involved in this tragedy.
