Local News
Victims Killed in Boca Raton Plane Crash Identified
Authorities have released the identities of the three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a small plane crash near the Boca Raton Airport on Friday, April 11.
According to the Boca Raton Police Services Department, the victims were members of the same family:
- Robert Stark, 81, of Boca Raton
- Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach
- Brooke Stark, 17, of Delray Beach
All three were on board the ill-fated aircraft when it went down shortly after takeoff.
The sole individual injured on the ground, Pablo Tafur, 24, was identified as the driver of a Toyota that was struck during the crash.
His injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.
The crash, which occurred around 10:12 a.m., sent a fireball and heavy plumes of smoke into the air, visible from surrounding neighborhoods, schools, and businesses.
Graphic video footage from the scene showed the wreckage engulfed in flames, with bodies visible near the debris.
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 310R, tail number N8930N, built in 1977 and registered to REPROP LLC, a company based in Wilmington, Delaware. T
he plane had departed Boca Raton en route to Tallahassee and had been airborne for approximately 8 to 10 minutes before it crashed near the intersection of Military Trail and Glades Road, close to Florida Atlantic University and a busy commercial area.
During a Friday evening press briefing, Kurt Gibson, an aviation accident investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated that a full investigation is underway.
โWeโll be looking into three primary areas: the pilot, including their qualifications and recent history; the aircraftโs maintenance and records; and environmental conditions at the time of the crash,โ Gibson explained.
Data from FlightAware showed the plane performed several circular maneuvers before impact, indicating the pilot may have been experiencing difficulties.
The aircraft will be moved to a salvage facility for further inspection.
The NTSB confirmed that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days, while the final report could take 12 to 24 months to complete.
The crash has prompted closures in the area, including a portion of North Military Trail and nearby train tracks.
Authorities are urging residents and commuters to avoid the area until further notice.
This tragic incident marks a somber moment for the Boca Raton community as investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash and bring closure to the families affected.
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.