Three Minnesotans die in traffic accident during family reunion in Kansas

On Memorial Day weekend, three Minnesota citizens were killed in Kansas when a driver crossed the center line and collided head-on with their vehicle.

Troy A. Sabean, 33, of Roseville, driving a 2024 Toyota RAV4, was killed along with his wife, Emma Porter, 33, of Roseville. Also killed was Ann C. Porter, 69, of Fergus Falls. Two other passengers, Paul M. Porter, 68, of Edina, and Kathleen L. Lebarron, 64, of Edina, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

According to Emma Porter’s obituary, Minnesota residents were in the state to attend a family reunion.

The other driver, 53-year-old Andrew M. Steele of White City, Kansas, was driving a 2014 Ram 1500 pickup truck “in the middle of the road” when he struck the Minnesota family in the May 25 crash northwest of Council Grove, Kansas.

Steele and his passenger, Lisa M. Steele, 51, also of White City, Kansas, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to her obituary, Porter lived in Lamberton, Minnesota, until her family moved to Roseville in 2000. She graduated from Roseville Area High School in 2008 and was active in band, track, cross country, soccer and basketball. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a biology degree in 2012 and worked as a junior scientist at Zepto Life Technology.

She married Sabean in 2018. He also attended Roseville High School and the couple met there. According to Porter’s obituary, the couple loved gardening, traveling, spending time with their pet bird, volunteering and listening to live music together. “In 2021, Emma achieved her life goal of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. She will be remembered as a wonderful daughter, wife, sister, friend and colleague who was extremely kind and selfless, brave, silly and adventurous.”

She leaves behind her mother Hedera Porter, her father Paul Porter and his wife Katy LeBarron, and her brother Erik Porter.

In lieu of flowers for Porter, her obituary asks that donations be made to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club or the Ramsey County Master Gardener program. According to his obituary, Sabean leaves behind his mother, Judy Brueghel, and his father, Allen Sabean. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to SavetheBoundaryWaters.org or the First Nations Development Institute.

Information regarding the couple’s funeral will be announced at a later date.