KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lanterns and flowers adorn the tree where a deadly crash occurred near 96th and Spring Valley Road on Wednesday. It’s in support of the teen who lost his life. Friends and a bystander who says he tried to help following the wreck spoke with FOX 4.
Police haven’t yet released the victim’s name, but friends say he was Desean Colbert. They say losing him the day before Thanksgiving means the holiday won’t be the same.
“It’s like the holiday spirit is gone,”said Sakarah Love, a friend of Colbert.
Friends consoled Love Wednesday night, as she spoke of her friend, who she says was as close as family.
“That was like my brother. We use to talk about everything,” said Love. “We were so close we use to say I love you to each other,”
She was joined by other friends of Colbert, who say he was an athlete at Ruskin High School, who had a joyful disposition, and charisma.
“Sean kept a smile on his face. Sean would not let you be mad. Sean would give you the clothes off his back. Sean would do anything to keep anybody happy,” said Ayriana Jones.
The loss is still fresh for his friends, some who say they learned about the deadly wreck on social media. They say they saw a Facebook Live video of him taken seconds before the car wrecked.
“I’m like, not my Sean, and they were like yeah, and I was like how? And they were like a car crash,” said Lameia Oliver, who was fighting back tears.
Dan Sodomka showed up to place lanterns in the tree. He says he saw the morning wreck, and stopped to help the teens.
“Tried to help them as much as I could, and came here. I didn’t know them,” said Sodomka.
He says the crash serves as a reminder to always count your blessings.
“It’s that time of the year to be grateful, and you know something like this reminds you how precious life is,” said Sodomka.
Meanwhile, Colbert’s friends are leaning on one another for support to get through their loss, saying neither Thanksgiving nor the remainder of their time at Ruskin High School will be the same.
Friends say a moment of silence and a balloon release for Colbert is expected after the Thanksgiving holiday.
