NEODESHA, Kan. — A tight-knit young family’s future full of promise came to a sudden end early Monday morning, Nov. 10 2025, when 21-year-old Adam Brooks failed to stop at a stop sign on Granby Avenue northwest of Neodesha and collided with a semi-truck at the junction of U.S. Highway 400, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Adam was driving westbound when the crash occurred.
In the tragedy that followed, Adam, his wife Kylie Brooks, 21, and their 2-year-old son Kohen Brooks all lost their lives from the injuries they sustained. Kylie was pronounced dead at the scene. Adam was transported to Wilson Medical Center and passed away around 8:00 a.m. Little Kohen was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, but succumbed to his injuries about an hour later. None of the Brooks family were wearing seat-belts at the time of the crash. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured in the impact.
Friends and neighbors described Adam and Kylie as devoted parents, deeply connected and building a life together with their toddler son. Kohen, they said, was a source of endless laughter and light in their home—a bright energy that made every day feel full of promise. Their loss has left the Neodesha community stunned and heartbroken.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Adam’s vehicle encountered the semi when it ran the stop sign at the rural junction, and the collision was immediately catastrophic. Investigators emphasized the lack of seat-belt use as a contributing factor in the tragic outcome. While the crash remains under investigation, the early findings are proving to be devastating.
In the days since, neighbors have been sharing memories: Adam helping others around town, Kylie’s warm smile and nurturing spirit, and the way little Kohen would wave to everyone passing by in the neighborhood. Their home was described as full of hope, laughter, and shared dreams—making the void left behind all the more profound.
Community gatherings to support the Brooks family’s extended network are being arranged, and memorials in their honor are being organized by those who knew them best. The tragedy has become a somber reminder to many of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of a simple stop sign on a rural roadway.
As the Kansas Highway Patrol continues its investigation, the families and friends left behind are grappling with the shock and grief, turning to one another for support. The loss of this young family—together, filled with love and hope—has hit the Neodesha community hard, and the heartache is still fresh.