OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Sudden tragedy struck and forever changed the lives of one Overland Park family. Sunday they shared their heartbreaking story for the first time with FOX 4, describing life after their father was killed in a horrific car accident.
Kevin Moroney, 52, was killed the night of August 7, when police said a teenage driver slammed into him and his girlfriend as they stood in the street outside his home on Tomahawk Road.
Anyone can sense the pain his family is feeling when they drive by Moroney’s house and see a makeshift memorial of flowers. But never before have our viewers heard from his four grown children.
They took FOX 4 on a tour of his home Sunday afternoon. It’s one draped in pictures of family barbeques, trips and good memories. The photos are all that’s left.
“I think it would be an understatement to say it’s been the hardest couple weeks of my entire life,” said Moroney’s oldest son, Brent Moroney. “Nothing could ever prepare you for this.”
“That first Friday was crazy,” added his other son, Blakelund Moroney. “We were in disbelief.”
Blakelund said the hardest part of living life without his dad is seeing other families enjoying time together.
“Dad’s not here anymore and it’s been probably the toughest week, this last one, just having to tell myself it’s real every day,” he said.
It’s a reality no one should ever have to face – one that gets easier when his family focuses on the man Moroney was: A loving father and new grandfather; loyal friend; and a carpenter who could fix anything and built things from scratch, like a custom porch that now sits in his backyard.
“He taught us just a ton, not only just about working and fixing things, but he just taught us how to be a kind, and forgiving and good person,” Brent said.
They are life lessons Moroney’s children hold dear.
“He taught us all how to love everyone unconditionally,” Blakelund said.
It’s a tragedy that now reminds them to cherish each day and each other.
“It’s just kind of a reminder of how fragile life is and how things can change in a second,” Brent said.
Moroney’s girlfriend was in critical condition after the crash, but Brent said she has since been released from the hospital and is doing better.
As for the teen driver, it’s unclear whether any charges have been filed yet as Overland Park’s police spokesperson did not return FOX 4’s calls for an update on Sunday.
Donations for the family may be made to the Kevin Moroney Memorial Fund at Great Southern Bank at 5206 W. 95th St., Prairie Village, KS 66207. Memories and photos of Moroney can be shared at: www.rememberingkevinmoroney.com