Local News
Pilot who died in Scottsdale crash identified as 78-year-old Joie Vitosky
Scottsdale, AZ – The pilot who tragically lost his life in a private jet crash at Scottsdale Airport on Monday has been identified as 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, according to local authorities.
Vitosky, a highly experienced aviator with six decades of flying experience, was hailed as a hero by his family.
His daughter, Jana Schertzer, credited his skill and composure in the cockpit for saving the lives of the other passengers on board.
“I wholeheartedly believe that the reason those other passengers are alive is because of how he handled it yesterday,” Schertzer stated on Tuesday.
Vitosky’s passion for aviation spanned more than 60 years, beginning with his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he piloted helicopters before transitioning to jets.
Initially, he had intended to become an engineer, but his military service led him to a lifelong career in aviation, including multiple tours during the Vietnam War.
After leaving the Marines, Vitosky pursued a diverse flying career, piloting aircraft for prominent figures such as civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and Maureen Reagan, as well as corporate executives and oil industry leaders.
In addition to private charters, he also conducted critical transport flights, retrieving parts for companies like FedEx and flying transplant patients awaiting life-saving surgeries.
“It wasn’t just about flying wealthy clients,” Schertzer said. “There were so many people who genuinely needed his help—whether it was an emergency transport or a crucial medical flight.”
Vitosky’s love for flying extended to his family, with Schertzer recalling how she and her siblings often accompanied him on flights when seats were available.
“We’ve all grown up going on trips with my dad when we could—when there was space on the plane, and passengers didn’t mind,” she reminisced.
At 78 years old, Vitosky remained an active and capable pilot, defying assumptions about age. Schertzer emphasized that her father was in excellent health, with perfect vision, and came from a family with a history of longevity.
“He was the epitome of health,” she stated. “There was nothing wrong with him—his vision was even better than 20/20.”
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday when a Learjet 35A, arriving from Austin, Texas, experienced landing gear failure upon touchdown at Scottsdale Airport, according to airport officials.
The Learjet, which had two pilots (including Vitosky) and two passengers on board, veered off the runway and collided with a parked Gulfstream jet, which had one occupant inside.
Emergency responders reported that:
- Two individuals suffered critical injuries
- One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries
Air Traffic Response & Investigation
In audio recordings from air traffic control, controllers swiftly redirected nearby aircraft to avoid further complications.
One controller can be heard issuing a warning to an incoming aircraft:
“Maintain altitude and go around. We just had an emergency.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation, with federal aviation officials working to determine the cause of the crash.
So far, the only other individual publicly identified from the crash is 43-year-old Rain Hannah Andreani, the girlfriend of Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil.
Neil, who owns the Learjet, was not on board at the time of the crash, according to his legal representative Worrick Robinson IV, who addressed the incident via the band’s official Instagram account.
The runway at Scottsdale Airport was temporarily closed but reopened shortly before 9 p.m. Monday.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the landing gear failure and subsequent collision. The aviation community, friends, and family members of Joie Vitosky are mourning the loss of a seasoned pilot whose expertise in the skies was widely respected.
Local News
Donald Robert Morris-Jones Charged in Fatal Wake County Cycling Crash That Killed One and Injured Seven; Bond Set at $1 Million
WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — A devastating collision involving a group of cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina, left one person dead and seven others injured. A 76-year-old Apex man, identified as Donald Robert Morris-Jones, has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges in connection with the crash.
According to the information provided in court records, Morris-Jones was arrested on November 7, 2026, following an investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Authorities allege that he struck multiple cyclists and failed to remain at the scene after the collision.
The incident has deeply affected the cycling community, with one family mourning the loss of a loved one and seven other victims facing injuries and recovery.
Morris-Jones faces a series of charges across two related cases. The charges listed in the supplied court information include:
- One count of felony death by vehicle.
- Seven counts of felony serious injury by vehicle.
- Eight counts of felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death.
- Driving while impaired.
- Reckless driving with wanton disregard.
- Driving left of center.
The eight hit-and-run counts allege that Morris-Jones failed to stop following the collision, which resulted in one death and injuries to seven other people.
These are allegations contained in the criminal charges. Morris-Jones is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
One charging document alleges that Morris-Jones was driving on State Road 1390 while under the influence of an impairing substance, resulting in serious injuries to another person.
The document describes injuries that reportedly included damage to the person’s leg and ribs, as well as a laceration to the left arm.
A driving-while-impaired record indicates that a blood test was ordered. However, the results had not been released in the information provided, and no conclusion about the test results can be drawn at this stage.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
A judicial official set secured bonds totaling $1 million across the two cases.
The bond amounts were listed as:
- $750,000 in one case.
- $250,000 in the related case.
According to the supplied court documents, the judicial official cited the combined offenses and described an “overwhelming danger to society.” The official also noted that Morris-Jones appeared to have no significant criminal history while expressing concern that he had allegedly attempted to flee to avoid prosecution.
The bond decision reflects the court’s assessment at this stage of the proceedings and does not establish guilt.
Morris-Jones is scheduled to appear in Wake County District Court on November 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The hearing is listed for Courtroom 304.
Further proceedings are expected to address the charges as the case moves through the judicial process. Additional information about the crash, the victims, and the investigation may be released as it becomes available.
Beyond the criminal charges and court proceedings, the crash has left families and an entire cycling community facing a painful loss.
One person will not return home, while seven others have reportedly suffered serious injuries. Their loved ones must now navigate the uncertainty, emotional strain, and challenges that follow a sudden and traumatic event.
For the cyclists involved, what began as a morning ride ended in tragedy. Friends, relatives, and fellow riders are left remembering the person who died while hoping for recovery and healing for those who survived.
Our thoughts are with the family of the person who lost their life, the seven injured cyclists, and everyone affected by this devastating collision.
May the person who died be remembered with love and dignity, and may the injured victims find strength and healing in the days ahead.