Local News
Fundraiser Launched for Louisville UPS Plane Crash Survivor Matt Sweets Battling Critical Burns
UPDATE: The family of Matt Sweets has confirmed his passing after a valiant fight for life in the intensive care unit, where he was being treated for critical burn injuries sustained in the UPS Flight 2976 plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
A community fundraiser has been established to support Brooke Murray and her partner, Matt Sweets, the father of their two young children, following the catastrophic UPS Flight 2976 plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky.
Matt Sweets was among those severely injured in the November 4, 2025, disaster when he was caught in the fireball aftermath of the crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Officials have confirmed at least nine fatalities and sixteen individuals still unaccounted for, with authorities warning that the death toll may continue to rise as recovery efforts progress.
According to the family, Matt miraculously survived but sustained third-degree burns over 95% of his body.
He remains in critical condition, undergoing intensive treatment and facing an extensive recovery process that will likely involve multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
โMatt is a fighter,โ the fundraiser description reads. โWe are holding on to every bit of hope and faith that God gives us. He has a long road ahead, but we are believing for his healing.โ
The campaign explains that Matt is the sole provider for his family, and with him hospitalized indefinitely, Brooke and their children face mounting financial strain.
Donations will go toward covering household bills, groceries, medical costs, and essential living expenses, allowing the family to focus on Mattโs recovery without the added burden of financial insecurity.
Organizers emphasized that no contribution is too small, and every message, prayer, and share helps the family feel the support of their community during this devastating time.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to manage the aftermath of the UPS Flight 2976 tragedy, which involved a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff, igniting several buildings in an industrial area near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road.
- Confirmed fatalities: 9
- Missing persons: 16
- Reunification Center: 2911 Taylor Blvd., Louisville
- Shelter-in-place: Now reduced to a ยผ-mile radius
- Airport operations: One runway reopened; Runway 17R/35L closed until Nov. 15
- Search and rescue: Ongoing
In a public statement, Governor Andy Beshear expressed condolences to the families impacted and confirmed that the fatality count is expected to increase as crews continue to search through the wreckage.
Louisville authorities also issued a fraud alert after reports surfaced of scammers contacting families of victims, falsely claiming to have information about missing loved ones and demanding payment.
Officials urged the public to remain vigilant, stating that no legitimate agency or investigator will request money for information.
Anyone receiving suspicious messages is advised not to respond or send money and to report the incident immediately to Louisville Metro Police at (502) 574-LMPD (5673).
As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leads the investigation into the cause of the crash, the Louisville community continues to rally around those affected โ especially survivors like Matt Sweets, whose fight for life has become a symbol of hope amid the tragedy.
โMatt and Brooke are loved by so many,โ the fundraiser page concludes. โPlease keep them in your prayers and help us support this family as they face the most difficult battle of their lives.โ
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.