Storm chasers killed: college of Oklahoma meteorology college students Drake Brooks, Nicholas Nair, Gavin brief die in crash - WLS-television

GRAYSLAKE, ill. (WLS) -- A 19-12 months-historical man from suburban Grayslake is amongst three college of Oklahoma students killed whereas returning domestic from storm chasing.

Gavin brief was a passenger in a Volkswagen Tiguan that crashed on Interstate 35 near Tonkawa, Oklahoma late Friday night, according to highway patrol.

The vehicle become being pushed through Nicholas Nair, 20, of Denton, Texas. The different passenger is identified as Drake Brooks, 22, of Evansville, Indiana, police observed.

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Gavin's parents now hang tightly to the photographs and reminiscences of the ambitious younger man's existence that turned into reduce tragically short.

"or not it's every heartache. it be every nightmare. We never thought it would happen," referred to Gavin's mom, Beth short.

"The pain is simply unknowable," added his father, Allan brief.

flora lay in front of a challenge that earned the Grayslake native the title and honor of an Eagle Scout.

"i'm all the time going to take with me that Gavin turned into a delicate massive -- is a mild significant," Beth noted.

The college students have been returning home from safety storm chasing in Kansas when their car hydroplane d and changed into struck by way of a semi-truck, officials noted.

"They had been cautious with their chasing, they didn't get too shut," Beth observed.

Gavin's parents mentioned it become Brooks' first time spotting a tornado.

"understanding Drake, at one aspect, known as his household when they were on the manner domestic and instructed his mom that this was the most appropriate evening of his lifestyles. He had simply viewed his first twister, after which simply a short time later is when the accident happened," Allen observed.

Galvin's parents are nevertheless numb over his loss however find solace figuring out that moments before he died, he became actually chasing a passion he had seeing that childhood.

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"Gavin kind of became our in-home meteorologist and warned us about everything," Beth stated.

His foremost career purpose changed into to greater have in mind mom Nature to more desirable support others.

"He wanted to make it improved for individuals to know what changed into coming, to be organized," Beth introduced.

His fogeys noted that force to support others turned into contagious and they be aware of their son's memory will reside on during the lives he's touched.

"i do know that had he had the probability, he would have, you comprehend, helped to enhance weather forecasting for millions of people. and i simply comprehend that his friends are going to proceed on his legacy," Allan talked about.

All three have been meteorology students at the college, which launched right here remark on Saturday:

The tuition is devastated to be taught of the tragic passing of three college students. each had been valued and cherished individuals of our community. at the present, we ask the public to appreciate the privacy of their families.

institution of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Jr. released a statement on Twitter Sunday.

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