Local News
Dashcam footage shows truck driver reacting to deadly UPS plane crash in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KY — The death toll from Tuesday’s devastating UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has climbed to seven, with officials warning that the number could rise further as search and recovery operations continue.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operating as UPS Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, November 4, erupting into a massive fireball that engulfed several nearby buildings in flames.
The aircraft was bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed at least seven fatalities and eleven injuries as of late Tuesday, adding that “the number is going to get larger” due to the scale of destruction at the crash site.
Emergency responders are still conducting search operations in a heavily damaged industrial zone adjacent to the airport.
Newly released dashcam footage shows the chilling moment of impact, capturing a truck driver’s reaction as the plane descended with flames trailing from its left wing before exploding upon contact with the ground.
Aerial images depict large plumes of black smoke billowing over the Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road area, where multiple structures sustained severe damage or total collapse.
Witnesses reported a series of secondary explosions, believed to have been triggered by aviation fuel igniting upon impact.
The crash struck a petroleum recycling facility and severely damaged an adjacent auto parts business, where two employees remain unaccounted for.
First responders issued a third-alarm response, calling in multiple fire, hazmat, and rescue units from across Jefferson County.
Crews are working to extinguish lingering fires, secure unstable structures, and conduct thorough searches for trapped victims.
A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for all residents within a five-mile radius of the airport due to heavy smoke and potential air quality hazards.
Power in the immediate area has been cut off, and officials have warned the public to stay away from the crash zone until it is deemed safe.
A spokesperson for UPS confirmed that three crew members were aboard Flight 2976 and said the company is “deeply saddened by the tragic event.” The statement added:
“At this time, we are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the incident and to contact the families of those affected. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation and provide official updates as they become available.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also confirmed its participation in the investigation, working alongside the NTSB to analyze flight data, maintenance records, and communication logs.
Among those anxiously awaiting updates is a woman who identified herself as the wife of a UPS pilot, who told a local news anchor that her husband was scheduled to depart Louisville around the same time as the crash.
She stated she has not received any communication from him since the incident, fearing the worst as authorities work to identify the victims.
Louisville serves as the home of UPS Worldport, the company’s largest global air logistics hub.
The 5.2 million-square-foot facility handles more than 300 daily flights, sorts over 400,000 packages per hour, and employs over 20,000 people in the region.
The crash has deeply affected the city, where UPS is the largest employer.
Governor Beshear issued a public statement late Tuesday night:
“Kentucky, we are aware of the reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport. First responders are on-site, and we will share more information as available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected by this tragic event.”
As the investigation continues, officials have vowed transparency in uncovering the cause of the crash.
Recovery crews remain on-site through the night as Louisville mourns one of the most devastating aviation disasters in its history.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — 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 “TJ” 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 “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s 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.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
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 “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s 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.