Local News
All on board killed after plane crashes in Statesville
Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, along with his wife Cristina Biffle and their two children, 14-year-old daughter Emma and 5-year-old son Ryder, were killed Thursday in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, according to a statement posted on social media by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.).
The family was traveling aboard a Cessna C550 business jet, tail number N257BW, which crashed shortly after takeoff while en route to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida. Federal aviation records show the aircraft is owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, a company owned by Biffle.
“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans, but he was also an extraordinary person who will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the Cessna C550 crashed at approximately 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time.
An official with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said the aircraft went down shortly after departing the airport around 10 a.m.
Sheriff Grant Campbell confirmed earlier in the day that the crash resulted in fatalities but initially did not release the identities of those on board or the number of occupants.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Video from the scene showed first responders rushing onto the runway, where flames were visible near scattered aircraft debris.
Witnesses at the nearby Lakewood Golf Club said the aircraft was flying unusually low moments before the crash. Several golfers reported dropping to the ground as the jet passed overhead, with debris later found near the ninth hole.
“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s way too low,’” Joshua Green of Mooresville told The Associated Press. “It was scary.”
Biffle, 55, was widely respected not only for his racing achievements but also for his humanitarian efforts. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene last year, he used his personal helicopter to fly hundreds of rescue and supply missions across western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, delivering food, fuel, medical supplies, and communications equipment to isolated communities.
Biffle publicly recounted one rescue mission in which he located a stranded family after they reflected sunlight with a mirror from the bottom of a steep canyon. He described making multiple difficult landing attempts to deliver essential supplies, including insulin, EpiPens, fuel, and food.
“The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica,” Hudson wrote. “That’s who the Biffles were.”
Greg Biffle enjoyed a distinguished NASCAR career, earning:
- 19 NASCAR Cup Series victories, including six wins in 2005, when he finished second in the championship standings
- 20 Xfinity Series wins, along with the 2002 series championship
- 17 Craftsman Truck Series victories, capturing the 2000 championship
He also won the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway three consecutive times from 2004 to 2006. Biffle stepped away from full-time competition in 2016 before returning to racing six years later.
Statesville Regional Airport, where the crash occurred, serves corporate aviation operations and is frequently used by Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, according to airport officials.
“Our prayers are with their family, friends, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss,” Hudson said.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release additional information as it becomes available.
Local News
Donald Robert Morris-Jones Charged in Fatal Wake County Cycling Crash That Killed One and Injured Seven; Bond Set at $1 Million
WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — A devastating collision involving a group of cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina, left one person dead and seven others injured. A 76-year-old Apex man, identified as Donald Robert Morris-Jones, has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges in connection with the crash.
According to the information provided in court records, Morris-Jones was arrested on November 7, 2026, following an investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Authorities allege that he struck multiple cyclists and failed to remain at the scene after the collision.
The incident has deeply affected the cycling community, with one family mourning the loss of a loved one and seven other victims facing injuries and recovery.
Morris-Jones faces a series of charges across two related cases. The charges listed in the supplied court information include:
- One count of felony death by vehicle.
- Seven counts of felony serious injury by vehicle.
- Eight counts of felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death.
- Driving while impaired.
- Reckless driving with wanton disregard.
- Driving left of center.
The eight hit-and-run counts allege that Morris-Jones failed to stop following the collision, which resulted in one death and injuries to seven other people.
These are allegations contained in the criminal charges. Morris-Jones is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
One charging document alleges that Morris-Jones was driving on State Road 1390 while under the influence of an impairing substance, resulting in serious injuries to another person.
The document describes injuries that reportedly included damage to the person’s leg and ribs, as well as a laceration to the left arm.
A driving-while-impaired record indicates that a blood test was ordered. However, the results had not been released in the information provided, and no conclusion about the test results can be drawn at this stage.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
A judicial official set secured bonds totaling $1 million across the two cases.
The bond amounts were listed as:
- $750,000 in one case.
- $250,000 in the related case.
According to the supplied court documents, the judicial official cited the combined offenses and described an “overwhelming danger to society.” The official also noted that Morris-Jones appeared to have no significant criminal history while expressing concern that he had allegedly attempted to flee to avoid prosecution.
The bond decision reflects the court’s assessment at this stage of the proceedings and does not establish guilt.
Morris-Jones is scheduled to appear in Wake County District Court on November 9, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The hearing is listed for Courtroom 304.
Further proceedings are expected to address the charges as the case moves through the judicial process. Additional information about the crash, the victims, and the investigation may be released as it becomes available.
Beyond the criminal charges and court proceedings, the crash has left families and an entire cycling community facing a painful loss.
One person will not return home, while seven others have reportedly suffered serious injuries. Their loved ones must now navigate the uncertainty, emotional strain, and challenges that follow a sudden and traumatic event.
For the cyclists involved, what began as a morning ride ended in tragedy. Friends, relatives, and fellow riders are left remembering the person who died while hoping for recovery and healing for those who survived.
Our thoughts are with the family of the person who lost their life, the seven injured cyclists, and everyone affected by this devastating collision.
May the person who died be remembered with love and dignity, and may the injured victims find strength and healing in the days ahead.