FRASER, Mich. (WXYZ) — A community is mourning the death of 23-year-old Fraser High School teacher Connor McMahon after he was killed in a hit-and-run Tuesday night.
"It's impossible to believe," Connor's dad, Corey McMahon, said. "The hardest part for me is he did everything right his whole life. I mean, just such a good kid and to be left laying on 94 — heartbreaking."
Connor McMahon taught social studies at Fraser High where his younger brother is about to enter his senior year. Their parents said Connor McMahon and his younger brother were best friends.
"He wanted to be that teacher that made a difference," Kathleen McMahon said about Connor.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, Connor McMahon was killed alongside eastbound I-94 near the 8 Mile Road and Vernier Road exit in Harper Woods. He had stopped to change a flat tire.
He was coming from the rained-out Tigers game with three fellow camp counselors for the Recreation Authority of Roseville and Eastpointe (RARE). It was part of a team-building event.
Connor McMahon had been working with RARE for five years as a summer camp counselor. Sessions were supposed to begin next week but may be delayed because of his tragic death.
RARE Executive Director Tony Lipinski said Connor McMahon was the "heart and soul of the program," and his loss is devastating and he will be missed.
Connor McMahon was driving three camp counselors home in his car when he got a flat. We're told another counselor in another car gave Connor McMahon's passengers a ride to a nearby gas station.
Connor McMahon wanted to replace his flat tire that was on the passenger side of his car.
Michigan State Police said a 25-year-old woman from Clinton Township crashed into his vehicle, causing him to sustain fatal injuries.
MSP said the woman fled from the scene on foot but was later apprehended by Harper Woods police after a short foot chase.
MSP said the woman was arrested for impaired driving and blood tests will reveal what drugs or alcohol were in her system at the time of the crash.
The woman is also accused of injuring a Harper Woods police officer and biting a trooper while in custody.
Fraser High School Principal Ryan Sines released the following statement Wednesday:
“Connor’s passing is a heartbreaking tragedy. He just finished his first year as a social studies teacher at Fraser High School and was so excited to be teaching at his alma mater. Connor was a 2017 FHS graduate, and a 2018 Early College of Macomb graduate. Connor was always willing to go above and beyond for his colleagues and students, and will truly be missed by all who knew him."
A Fraser Public Schools spokesperson said counseling services are available to students and staff.
