The identities of the four individuals who perished in a plane crash in the Colorado mountains have been confirmed, after the tragic incident left no survivors.
Just after midnight on February 13, the Routt County Sheriff’s Office in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was notified about a plane crash on the southern slope of Emerald Mountain.
According to Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar, the aircraft involved was a six-seater Epic Aircraft E1000. It was en route to Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs when it crashed, having departed from Kansas City Downtown Airport just a few hours earlier.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, who are responsible for investigating plane crashes, promptly arrived at the crash site. They have identified the victims as Austin Huskey, 38, Aaron Stokes, 47, Stokes’ son Jakson, 21, and nephew, Colin, 21, as reported by the New York Post.
It has been reported that the families of the victims received the devastating news about their loved ones on Friday.
Austin Huskey was the third-generation head of Huskey Building Supply in Franklin, Tennessee, while Aaron Stokes was a successful entrepreneur and founder of Shop Fix Academy, also in Franklin.
Huskey Building Society took to Instagram to share a photograph of their late CEO, confirming his death.
“With heavy hearts, we grieve the unexpected passing of our CEO, Austin Huskey. Austin was a fearless leader, a gracious man, a devoted father and husband, and a faithful follower of Christ,” part of the post read.
The post continued about the 38-year-old: “His love was felt in every room he entered, giving time to everyone he came into contact with. No voice was too small, no opinion too little. Austin placed a premium on listening to every person under his stewardship and empowering them to grow and succeed.”
Additionally, an obituary for Aaron Stokes has been posted online, portraying him as ‘a visionary entrepreneur, mentor, and beloved family man’.
The obituary continues: “Aaron Stokes was widely recognized as the founder of Shop Fix Academy, an organization dedicated to empowering independent auto repair shop owners. A self-made multi-millionaire with 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Aaron’s influence extended significantly within the industry.”
“He successfully owned and operated five auto repair shops and hosted the popular radio show ‘Fixin’ Cars with Aaron Stokes’,”
The cause of the fatal crash and the identity of the person piloting the aircraft are still under investigation.
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