Remembering Joe Barone: Teen’s Mother Shares Her Family’s Memories — And Her Questions

Saturday would have been Joe Barone’s 18th birthday, but the teen—described by his mother as a free spirit—won’t be with family and friends to celebrate what should have been his first official day as an adult.

Instead, there will be a gathering at Joe’s mom’s house in Zelienople, where loved ones will share their memories of the boy who loved campfires, playing hacky sack and hanging out with friends.

“You don’t realize what friends mean until something like this happens,” said Stephanie Barone, Joe’s mother.

Along with Joe’s three younger siblings and the rest of her family, Barone is still grieving over her son’s death March 3.

According to state police, J The impact caused his body to be thrown into the left lane of traffic, where at least one other tractor-trailer hit him.

Troopers at the Butler station said their investigation of the incident led them to determine that  Robert George Hahn, 22, of Evans City, has been charged with providing alcohol to minors at the party Barone attended. Hahn also is charged with reckless endangerment and corruption of a minor.

The investigation into the fatal accident has been concluded, according to Trooper Ronald Kesten, a state police spokesman. The truck drivers will not face charges in the incident, he said.

He did not know if additional charges would be filed in relation to the underage drinking party.

That isn’t enough for Barone, who said she wants the truckers to be held accountable in her son’s death. She also has many questions. How fast were the drivers were going before they struck her son? When and where did they stop after hitting him? Did they deviate from the road?

“We have no real answers,” she said.

Barone does not know Hahn, but she called his arrest a good first step in an investigation she said she believes should continue. Although she knew her son was out on the night he died, she did not know he was at a drinking party. One of the things she said angers her most about Joe’s death is that it was preventable. She said she wishes someone from the party had offered him a ride home or that police had seen him walking on the highway.

“I’d rather have had him in the drunk tank than this,” she said.

Barone said she believes Joe was walking on the interstate instead of around it because he didn’t want to muddy his shoes. Barone said she'd often complained to her children when their shoes were dirty.

A good big brother to his siblings, Joe was particularly close with his 15-year-old brother, Patrick, and the two had many of the same friends. When asked what he liked most about his brother, Patrick simply said, “Everything.”

Many of Joe’s friends stopped by his mother’s house bearing flowers, candles and letters they wrote to Joe—who was nicknamed “The Kid”—soon after his death. On Barone’s porch is a wooden cross made by one of Joe’s friends and signed by his loved ones, including his mom. At Joe’s funeral earlier this month, everyone wore red, which was his favorite color.

“He was liked. He was a polite kid,” Barone said. “He always helped the underdog, too.”

After dropping out of last year, Joe was working to take his General Educational Development test at the time of his death. He enjoyed landscaping and hoped to one day have his own business, Barone said. 

Losing Joe has caused Barone to impose and enforce more rules on her younger children. No one is allowed out after dark, and no one is allowed to walk in areas with no sidewalks—at any time.

“It definitely as a parent makes you more protective of your kids,” she said.

Barone said Joe lived by the words she wrote in his baby book when he turned 16. She shared the missive with Patch: 

“Joe, you are 16 and a complete pain in my ass. You are growing up so fast, and there is nothing I can do about it. I hope I've taught you the passion in love, the courage in struggles, the pain in everyday life will be the most courageous thing you ever learn. Always be yourself, don't ever settle for less—fight for what you believe in. And never forget no matter what you are my love—my light—and you are precious.”