Local News
Graphic Video Captures Deadly Small Plane Crash Near Boca Raton Airport, Bodies Visible at Scene
A small twin-engine aircraft crashed near the Boca Raton Airport on the morning of Friday, April 11, 2025, killing all three individuals on board and sending shockwaves through the local community.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:12 a.m. near the intersection of Military Trail and Glades Road, within close proximity to the airport.
Graphic video footage from the scene, widely circulated on social media, captured the harrowing final moments of the aircraft as it descended rapidly and exploded upon impact, sending a fireball and thick black plumes of smoke into the sky.
Bodies were visible at the scene, and the wreckage scattered across Military Trail and nearby railroad tracks.
According to Boca Raton Assistant Fire Chief Michael LaSalle, the aircraftโa Cessna 310โreported mechanical difficulties shortly after takeoff.
The plane had departed from Boca Raton Airport and was en route to Tallahassee International Airport.
Approximately a mile from the airport, the plane lost control and crashed onto Military Trail.
โAll three individuals on board were pronounced dead at the scene,โ LaSalle confirmed during a press briefing. โOne motorist who was driving on Military Trail at the time suffered non-life-threatening injuries after swerving to avoid the crash and colliding with a tree. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.โ
Emergency crews responded swiftly and were able to contain the blaze shortly after the crash. The large plume of smoke was visible for miles and prompted immediate lockdowns and emergency protocols at nearby schools, businesses, and residential areas.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending notification of next of kin.
As a result of the crash, Boca Raton police closed several major roads in the area, including North Military Trail between Northwest 19th Street and Butts Road.
The intersection of Glades Road and Military Trail also remains closed. The Interstate 95 overpass at Glades Road was shut down in both directions, causing significant traffic disruptions.
The Boca Raton Airport has been closed temporarily, and officials at Boca Raton Community High School urged parents not to pick up students due to congestion and road closures.
The School District of Palm Beach County has issued an alert warning of limited access to the campus as emergency crews remain on scene.
The crash also affected regional transit. Tri-Rail announced that rail service has been temporarily suspended between the Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton stations, with a bus bridge in place to transport passengers between the two.
Rail service remains operational north of Boca and south of Deerfield, though officials are advising commuters to expect delays and seek alternate routes where possible.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed lead responsibility for the investigation. A spokesperson confirmed that investigators would arrive in Boca Raton around 4 p.m. to begin a formal inquiry.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also assisting with the investigation and will remain in close coordination with local authorities.
The Boca Raton Airport is a state-owned public-use general aviation facility located approximately two miles northwest of downtown Boca Raton, adjacent to Florida Atlantic University and visible from Interstate 95.
It is operated by the Boca Raton Airport Authority, a seven-member board appointed by the City of Boca Raton and the Palm Beach County Commission.
Officials have urged the public to avoid the area surrounding the crash site while the investigation is underway.
More information is expected to be released as the NTSB conducts its initial assessment.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. โ A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas โTJโ Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting โpedophile protectorโ at the former president, an apparent reference to the administrationโs handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
โAs far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,โ Sabula told The Post. โBut I am concerned about my job. I believe Iโve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.โ
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is โa father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,โ and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses โduring this time of uncertainty.โ Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabulaโs actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.