Kaleb Dwayne Barker, Mississippi State University freshman kinesiology major, 18, died early Tuesday in Starkville due to injuries resulting from a one-vehicle accident near campus, according to a statement released by University Relations.
A news release from the Starkville Police Department said Kaleb Barker was “struck by the motor vehicle he had been riding in” and suffered “multiple blunt crush injury.”
Sid Salter, director of University Relations, said the accident was outside of MSU Police jurisdiction.
Michael Hunt, Oktibbeha County coroner, said the death occurred when a vehicle backed up in the McDonald’s parking lot and fell into the Cold Stone Creamery parking lot, throwing Kaleb Barker from the vehicle. 
Kaleb Barker was then run over by the truck, according to the SPD release. The release also stated the remaining four passengers of the vehicle were Barker’s friends.
Hunt said Kaleb Barker was transported to Oktibbeha County Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and then was airlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.
President Keenum made a statement in regard to the incident.
“The Mississippi State University family is heartbroken today over this very tragic accident,” said Keenum. “Kaleb was a young man with a great deal of promise. We feel a deep sense of grief and our thoughts and prayers will remain with Kaleb’s family and his many friends in Lucedale, Miss., and here at MSU.”
Thomas Bourgeois, Dean of Students, said MSU plants a tree on campus in loving memory of any student who dies while enrolled. 
“It’s a tragedy. Any time the university loses a student, it is one of the worst things that can happen,” he said. “We do our best to remember him through stories and thoughts.”
Sonya Barker, Kaleb Barker’s mother, said her son was a “mama’s boy” and his father’s best friend.
“He was funny. He was goofy. He was so compassionate and tender hearted — it’s unreal. He was loyal and very, very loving,” she said.
Cory Dickerson, who grew up in Lucedale, Miss., with Kaleb Barker, said Kaleb was passionate about his tight-knit group of friends.
“He was real down to earth. He was one of the nicest guys you could meet. He was all about his friends, and we were all about him,” he said.
Dickerson said the driver of the vehicle, Sawyer Steede, came to MSU with Kaleb Barker from Lucedale and was one of his best friends.
Sonya Barker said Sawyer was like the brother Kaleb never had and that the incident was tragic.
“We love Sawyer, and Kaleb loved Sawyer. There’s no way that we’re blaming that baby for any of this. It was just an accident,” she said. “(Kaleb) wouldn’t want people thinking bad of Sawyer because that was his best friend.” 
Sonya Barker said Kaleb was enthusiastic about attending MSU. She said she looked forward to attending the MSU vs. Alabama football game and wearing her Alabama shirt until after the game when she would change into an MSU shirt for Kaleb.
“I know he was so excited about going to State. He was actually looking so forward to going to the Mississippi State v. Alabama game because we’re Alabama fans, and he’s a State fan,” she said.
Taylor Bufkin and Logan Goff, two girls Kaleb Barker grew up with, said he was passionate about making a great future for himself and those around him.
“He put others first. He always lived to the highest,” Goff said.
Bufkin said Kaleb Barker was one of the sweetest people she had ever met.
“Any time you had a problem, he was going to try to help you fix it,” Bufkin said. 
Sonya Barker said she is proud of who Kaleb grew up to be and is moved by the number of people who have come forward to show support for the Barker family.
“We raised Kaleb to be a good-hearted person and to treat others fairly, and apparently, we succeeded in that part,” she said.
Sonya Barker said she is reminded of Kaleb’s love through memories of their conversations.
“He never missed an opportunity to tell us he loved us. It didn’t matter where he was at or whom he was with. Whether we were there in person or over the phone, he would never shy away from saying, ‘I love you Mom’ or ‘I love you Dad.’ And he never whispered it either,” Sonya Barker said.
Dwayne Barker, Kaleb Barker’s father, said Kaleb Barker was his best friend and that he loved everyone.
Kaleb Barker’s visitation is set for 6-10 p.m. Friday at Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Lucedale, Miss. His funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Sonya Barker said she wants everyone to wear causal clothes and MSU gear to celebrate Kaleb’s life.
“I don’t care if they wear a ball cap. I don’t care. Kaleb couldn’t stand the stuffiness,” she said. 
 
 

Gallery • 1 Photos

Courtesy Photo | Taylor Buskin

Barkers and his friends gather after moving into their new homes at MSU. From left to right: Logan Goff, Kaleb Barker, Sawyer Steede, Taylor Bufkin, Shawn Chambliss.