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 aircraft—a Cessna 310—reported 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.
“All three individuals on board were pronounced dead at the scene,” LaSalle confirmed during a press briefing. “One 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.”
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
Three Killed in Highway 61 Crash Near Walls, Mississippi; Victims Identified as Latasha Dodson, Eddie Dodson, and Tamenshia Ford
WALLS, Mississippi — Three people were killed in a serious collision Wednesday evening near U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls, leaving multiple families grieving and a community mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 8:04 p.m. and involved a 2021 Honda Accord and another vehicle driven by 27-year-old Da’Quarius M. Burton of Memphis, Tennessee.
Authorities identified the three people who died inside the Honda Accord as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake
- Eddie L. Dodson, 41, of Byhalia
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash also left two people injured. Da’Quarius M. Burton, who was driving the other vehicle, survived the collision, as did a fourth occupant of the Honda Accord whose identity has not yet been released.
Both survivors were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Officials have not provided an update on their conditions.
The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
The tragedy has also deeply affected local law enforcement and public service communities. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one of its juvenile detention officers was among those who died in the crash. Another employee was seriously injured.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office remembered its fallen employee as a respected and beloved member of the team who demonstrated kindness, compassion, and dedication to the young people entrusted to their care.
The department also recognized the lasting difference the employee made through their work and the positive influence they had on others.
Officials have not publicly identified which of the three victims worked for the Sheriff’s Office.
The Walls Police Department also confirmed that one of its patrol officers was involved in the collision. However, the department has not clarified the officer’s condition or released additional information about the circumstances surrounding their involvement.
The crash has therefore brought grief and concern to several public safety agencies, including the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and the Walls Police Department.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash near Highway 61 and Church Road. Authorities have not released a determination about what caused the vehicles to collide.
Further information may become available as investigators review the circumstances of the incident and complete their work.
The deaths of Latasha N. Dodson, Eddie L. Dodson, and Tamenshia R. Ford represent an enormous loss for their families, friends, and everyone who knew them.
Three individuals from different communities have now been lost in a single devastating incident. Their loved ones are left to face the difficult days ahead while holding on to the memories they shared.
The loss has also been felt by colleagues and members of the local public safety community, particularly those mourning the juvenile detention officer remembered for compassion and dedication to young people.
During this painful time, thoughts are with the families of all three victims, the injured survivors, and the employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and Walls Police Department.
May Latasha N. Dodson, Eddie L. Dodson, and Tamenshia R. Ford rest in peace.