Local News
New Dashcam footage shows UPS Flight 2976 plane crash in Louisville
Newly released dashcam footage has captured the terrifying moment UPS Cargo Flight 2976 plummeted from the sky and exploded into a massive fireball near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
The footage shows the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet descending rapidly before erupting upon impact, sending flames and debris soaring into the air and igniting multiple buildings in a nearby industrial area.
The crash site, located near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, was immediately engulfed in thick black smoke as workers were seen running for their lives. Emergency sirens filled the area as firefighters and rescue crews rushed to the burning wreckage.
Authorities have confirmed that at least 12 people have been killed, including a young child, while 15 others were injured and 16 remain unaccounted for. Officials have cautioned that the death toll is expected to rise as recovery operations continue.
Governor Andy Beshear described the incident as “catastrophic,” urging the public to pray for the victims, their families, and the first responders. “That number is going to get larger,” the governor said during a press briefing, referencing the rising casualty count as crews search through the wreckage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that UPS Flight 2976, operating a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, departed Louisville at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed control of the investigation and will lead all updates moving forward.
According to NTSB officials, preliminary video analysis appears to show the plane’s left engine detaching from the wing during takeoff, moments before the crash.
This visual evidence will play a critical role in determining the cause of the accident.
Authorities have also confirmed the following updates:
- Death Toll: 12 confirmed fatalities, with additional victims expected.
- Reunification Center: Established at 2911 Taylor Blvd for affected families.
- Search and Rescue: Ongoing in surrounding structures.
- Shelter-in-Place: Now reduced to a ¼-mile radius of the crash site.
- Airport Operations: One runway remains open; Runway 17R/35L is closed until November 15.
Meanwhile, Louisville Metro Police have issued a warning regarding scammers attempting to exploit grieving families by posing as investigators and demanding payment in exchange for information about missing loved ones.
Authorities urge anyone receiving such communications to report them immediately to LMPD at 502-574-LMPD (5673) and not to send money under any circumstances.
Dashcam recordings from a nearby truck driver also captured the explosion, showing a massive shockwave shaking nearby vehicles as fire engulfed the surrounding area.
The footage, now being reviewed by investigators, offers a chilling firsthand perspective of one of the most devastating aviation accidents in Louisville’s history.
UPS has confirmed that three crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. The company stated it is “deeply saddened by this tragedy” and is fully cooperating with federal authorities as the investigation continues.
Louisville’s Worldport facility, UPS’s global air hub, remains operational with limited capacity.
The company, which employs over 20,000 people in the region, handles more than 300 flights daily and sorts over 400,000 packages an hour.
Governor Beshear expressed condolences on social media, saying, “Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected. First responders are onsite, and we will share more information as available.”
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.