Connor Barba, Norman, Oklahoma teen killed swerving car to avoid head on crash while on the way to see Kansas City Chiefs game after his mom, Megan Barnett bought him tickets for his birthday. The parent survives while the driver of the other vehicle, Joseph Savage also died.
An Oklahoma teen died in a car crash on the way to a Kansas City Chiefs game after his mother surprised him with tickets over the weekend.
Connor Barba, 18, of Norman, OK, was driving with his mother Megan Barnett, 41, to the game on Saturday when a Camaro struck both the teen and his mom who was traveling with him head-on, the Kansas Highway Patrol report stated.
Joseph Savage, 45, of Mortuary, crashed into the mom-son pair after veering into the oncoming traffic lane for an ‘unknown reason’ around 4pm, police said.
Birthday teen took brunt of head on collision
While Barnett who was hospitalized, survived the ordeal, her son did not.
Both Barba and Savage were pronounced dead at the scene. A third driver involved had no injuries, according to police.
The pair had been on their way to a Kansas City Chiefs game after Barnett surprised her son with tickets for his upcoming birthday, a GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $95,531 as of late Wednesday morning revealed.
‘She surprised him. He was shocked. It was not on his radar,’ his Uncle Colin told KOKO.
‘You will always be in our hearts! Ya goofy ass!’ his father, Ted Barba, wrote on Facebook.
Barnett is currently in the ICU in Tulsa and will require ‘extensive recovery,’ according to the fundraiser. The parent is currently in stable condition.
Barba’s uncle Colin told KOKO that the young boy had swerved to avoid Savage’s vehicle and slammed on the brakes, causing his side to take the brunt end of the impact.
Colin credits Barba’s quick thinking as the reason Barnett is still alive.
Kansas City Chiefs fan remembered
The uncle also said the pair were looking forward to the football game for different reasons.
‘He really wanted to see Baker Mayfield play, and Megan, I think, wanted to see the Chiefs play, likely the Taylor Swift connection,’ the relative told KOKO.
He remembers Barba as an ‘outstanding young man’ who had a ‘lot of light.’
‘He had an incredible amount of joy and an incredible smile,’ he told the outlet. ‘Especially for his age, he was incredibly mature and respectful.’
Barba’s father has taken to Facebook to post several photos of his son since his passing, writing in a post: ‘He had the hugest heart of anyone I have ever known! Love you Connor Barba!!’
