Dustin Miller, a 44-year-old Kansas City Chiefs super fan, tragically lost his life in a plane crash near Washington, D.C. just days before the Super Bowl.
Miller, who had dreamed of watching his team secure a third consecutive Super Bowl victory, was on his way to a work trip when disaster struck.
Dustin’s Final Words
Before his flight, Miller had shared his excitement with his family. “I’ll call you when I land.
I’m going to try to make it back in time for the Super Bowl,” he told his mother as she dropped him off at the airport.
His sister, Kristen Miller-Zahn, recalled these words, reflecting the hope Dustin had to be back home in time for the big game.
He had even made plans to watch the game with his brother, Jon, buying him a plane ticket so they could experience the Super Bowl together in Kansas. Sadly, Miller never made it home.
A Fatal Collision
Miller, an IT professional from Kansas, was traveling for work, heading to Rochester, New York, with a stopover in D.C.
According to a GoFundMe set up for the family, Miller had texted his boss and spoken to a friend just before the flight took off from Wichita.
He described the cheerful mood on the plane, mentioning how exciting it was that both U.S. and Russian figure skaters were onboard.
Tragically, the flight didn’t make it. Miller was one of the 67 people killed when an American Airlines flight collided mid-air with an Army helicopter near the nation’s capital.
His family is now planning to watch the Super Bowl in his honor.
Remembering Dustin
“Dustin was the funniest guy in the room,” his family shared in a statement.
“He was also the most generous and loving.
He had a way of making people feel at home in his presence.” His warmth and humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Recovery Efforts and Investigation
In the aftermath of the collision, recovery teams have worked tirelessly to recover the remains of all 67 victims.
Authorities confirmed that all but one of the victims have been identified, and efforts continue to retrieve the wreckage from the Potomac River.
The collision occurred as the plane was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, with everyone aboard both the American Airlines flight and the Army helicopter tragically losing their lives.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with federal officials aiming for a preliminary report within 30 days.
This crash is the deadliest in the U.S. since 2001, leaving behind a devastating loss for the families of those involved, including Miller’s family, who will carry his memory as they honor his life and the Chiefs’ legacy.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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