Dustin Miller, a passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan, had long dreamed of watching his team chase a third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
Unfortunately, he never made it back home to witness that moment.
Tragically, Miller was one of the victims in a deadly plane crash near Washington, D.C.
The 44-year-old IT professional from Kansas was en route to Rochester, New York, with a stopover in D.C. for work when disaster struck.
His family, left in shock, recalls his hopeful words before leaving for the trip.
“I’ll call you when I land. I’m going to try to make it back in time for the Super Bowl,” Dustin told his mother as she dropped him off at the airport.
A Final Family Plan
Miller had even made special plans for his family to gather for the big game.
According to a GoFundMe campaign set up for his grieving loved ones, Dustin had bought a plane ticket for his brother Jon so they could watch the Super Bowl together in Kansas.
The excitement to reunite and cheer on their team was palpable. Sadly, this was not to be.
Before the plane’s departure, Dustin had shared a joyful text with his boss and a friend, mentioning the celebratory atmosphere among fellow passengers.
He also excitedly noted that both U.S. and Russian figure skaters were on board the flight, a unique detail that captured the mood of the journey.
The Tragic Crash
Miller’s flight tragically collided with an Army helicopter shortly before it was due to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport in D.C.
The crash killed all 67 people aboard both the passenger jet and the military aircraft. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Dustin never made it back to Kansas to watch the Chiefs.
His family, devastated by the loss, plans to watch the Super Bowl in his honor, reflecting on the man who was “the funniest guy in the room” and “the most generous and loving,” as described by his relatives.
Recovery and Investigation
Authorities have confirmed the recovery of all 67 victims’ remains, with the exception of one, who is still being positively identified.
Recovery teams have been working in challenging conditions to retrieve large parts of the jetliner, including the fuselage, cockpit, and wing, from the Potomac River.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday night, marked the deadliest aviation incident in the U.S. since 2001.
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the collision, and though a full investigation may take a year, a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
The collision also claimed the lives of several military personnel aboard the Army Black Hawk helicopter, including Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach.
The Road Ahead
As the nation processes this tragic loss, the focus now shifts to the investigation and the eventual recovery of the helicopter.
The families of the victims, like Dustin Miller’s, are left to mourn the loss of loved ones with unfulfilled dreams and plans.
His family’s tribute will be to carry his memory with them as they gather to honor the man they loved.
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