Kentucky parents killed in car crash after son’s graduation

Two Kentucky parents died in a car crash after leaving their son’s high school graduation, school officials and authorities said.

Nancy Barnett, 53, of Ewing, died at the scene of Saturday’s wreck in Fleming County after colliding with a pickup truck, Kentucky State Police told the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Barnett’s husband, Lyndon Barnett, 56, later died at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

Their two sons – Dalton, 18, and Michael, 26 — were also taken to the hospital for treatment following the crash, state police said.

They remained hospitalized early Monday, a nurse told The Post. Dalton Barnett was in stable condition, while Michael Barnett was listed in critical but stable, she said.

Fleming County High School principal Stephanie Emmons said the family was involved in the crash “shortly after” Dalton’s graduation ceremony.

“We have learned that his mother, Nancy Barnett, and his father, both passed away as a result of the accident,” Emmons said in a statement late Saturday. “Please continue to uplift this family through your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

Earlier Saturday, Nancy wore a shirt showing off the pride she had as a “senior mom” while at Dalton’s graduation, school officials said in a joint statement.

“Senior Mom: Some people wait their entire lives to meet their inspiration,” her shirt read. “I raised mine. Class of 2020.”

The heartwarming shirt showed how just much the devoted mom thought of her son, officials said.

“The Barnetts mean a lot to our Fleming County community and we will be here to support Dalton and his brother as they face the difficult times ahead,” the statement continued.

The graduation ceremony in Flemingsburg, which was closed to the public, lasted more than 12 hours due to social distancing measures. Only one graduating senior and six relatives were allowed on campus at specific times, the Herald-Leader reported.

The first student received their diploma before 8 a.m., while the last student graduated at about 9 p.m., according to Facebook posts cited by the newspaper.

Dalton was one of the first graduates to walk across a stage during the ceremony, WLEX reports.

The grieving student, described as a “sweet young man,” plans to enter the military, school officials said.

“He is always a joy to be around and his family has always been very proud of him,” Emmons and Creasman’s statement continued.

The driver of the truck, Anthony Bailey, 52, and his passenger, Nancy Bailey, were not hurt during the crash. An investigation is ongoing, WLEX reports.