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.
“We’ll be looking into three primary areas: the pilot, including their qualifications and recent history; the aircraft’s maintenance and records; and environmental conditions at the time of the crash,” 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.
JULIAN, CA — A pair of earthquakes struck near Julian in San Diego County on the morning of Monday, April 14, 2025, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremors were felt across parts of Southern California, prompting public reports to the “Did You Feel It?” system.
The first and stronger of the two events occurred at 10:08:28 a.m. PDT. The magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck approximately 4 kilometers (3 miles) south of Julian, at a depth of 13 kilometers (8 miles).
This moderate quake may have been felt across the broader San Diego region, particularly in higher elevations and nearby rural communities.
A second, smaller earthquake followed just five minutes later at 10:13:08 a.m. PDT.
The magnitude 3.0 aftershock was recorded in the same general area—4 kilometers (3 miles) south of Julian—with a slightly shallower depth of 12 kilometers (7 miles).
- Julian, CA – 4 km (3 miles) south
- San Diego Country Estates, CA – 18 km (11 miles) east-northeast
- Ramona, CA – 25 km (16 miles) east
- Pine Valley, CA – 25 km (16 miles) north-northwest
- Warner Springs, CA – 27 km (17 miles) south
Emergency officials have not reported any injuries or significant structural damage at this time.
However, residents are advised to remain alert for potential aftershocks and to review earthquake preparedness plans.
Those who felt either quake are encouraged to report their experience to the USGS via the “Did You Feel It?” portal to assist with data collection and analysis.
Further updates will be provided as additional assessments become available.