Local News
NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle, His Wife and Children Reportedly Killed in Plane Crash at Statesville Regional Airport
UPDATE: Garrett Mitchell confirmed to Channel2 NOW that Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma and their son Ryder were aboard the aircraft, as they were traveling to spend the afternoon with him. He expressed deep devastation over the incident.
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.
โI am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,โ Hudson wrote. โThey 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.โ
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the Cessna C550 crashed at approximately 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time.
An official with the Iredell County Sheriffโs 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.
โWe were like, โOh my gosh, thatโs way too low,โโ Joshua Green of Mooresville told The Associated Press. โIt was scary.โ
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.
โThe 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,โ Hudson wrote. โThatโs who the Biffles were.โ
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.
โOur prayers are with their family, friends, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss,โ Hudson said.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release additional information as it becomes available.
Local News
Chicago Police Sergeant Timothy Martin, 49, Dies After Being Found Unresponsive at 17th District Station
CHICAGO, Ill. โ The Chicago Police Department is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Sergeant Timothy Martin, 49, who was found unresponsive while on duty at a Northwest Side police station on Tuesday afternoon. His death has sent waves of grief through the law enforcement community, leaving family members, friends, and fellow officers struggling to process the sudden loss.
According to information from the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Martin was discovered unresponsive shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, inside the 17th District police station at 4650 N. Pulaski Road in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood.
Emergency personnel responded and transported him to Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Despite the efforts to save him, Martin was later pronounced dead.
The circumstances surrounding Martin’s death have not been fully disclosed.
Initial reports indicated that his death may have involved suicide. However, officials had not publicly confirmed the cause of death in the information available at the time of reporting.
Authorities have not released additional details about what happened inside the station or what may have led to the incident.
As the department and medical examiner’s office continue addressing the circumstances, colleagues and loved ones are left grieving the loss of a fellow officer who was part of their professional family.
News of Sergeant Martin’s death prompted an emotional response throughout the Chicago law enforcement community.
Amelia Kabat, associated with the 16th District Police Council, shared a message expressing condolences to Martin’s family, friends, and fellow officers, particularly those serving alongside him at the 17th District.
Her message reflected the emotional weight of losing another member of the law enforcement community and highlighted an important reminder: behind every uniform is a human being with a family, personal responsibilities, emotions, and struggles that may not always be visible to others.
She encouraged officers to check on one another, offer support when someone is struggling, and recognize that mental health and emotional well-being deserve attention and care.
One particularly meaningful reminder from her message was:
“Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.”
Those words carry significance far beyond the police department. They are a reminder that everyone deserves compassion, understanding, and support, especially during difficult moments.
Following his death, a procession carrying Sergeant Martin was captured in cellphone footage as it traveled toward the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The solemn procession served as a moment of respect and remembrance for a fellow officer whose passing has deeply affected colleagues and the wider Chicago police community.
For the officers who worked alongside him, the loss represents more than the death of a colleague. It is the loss of someone who shared their duties, responsibilities, and experiences in public service.
His fellow officers, particularly those assigned to the 17th District, are now facing the difficult task of mourning while supporting one another through this painful time.
Sergeant Martin’s death has renewed conversations about the importance of mental health support for police officers and first responders.
Law enforcement professionals frequently work in demanding environments, facing stressful situations, emotional challenges, and responsibilities that can take a toll over time.
Although the specific circumstances surrounding Martin’s death have not been publicly established, his passing serves as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of checking on loved ones, colleagues, and anyone who may be silently struggling.
Sometimes a simple conversation, a sincere question, or an offer to listen can make a meaningful difference.
No one should feel that they must carry their struggles alone, and reaching out for help should always be met with understanding rather than judgment.
Timothy Martin was 49 years old. He was a police sergeant, a family member, a friend, and a colleague whose loss will be deeply felt by those who knew him.
Behind the badge was a person with relationships, responsibilities, and a life beyond the uniform. His sudden passing has left loved ones grieving and fellow officers remembering the man they served alongside.
As the Chicago Police Department mourns this loss, thoughts remain with his family, friends, and everyone at the 17th District who is facing this difficult moment.
Please keep Sergeant Timothy Martin’s family, friends, and his brothers and sisters in the Chicago Police Department in your thoughts and prayers. May they find strength, comfort, and support as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.
May Sergeant Timothy Martin rest in peace.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, confidential support is available.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988, available 24/7.
- Crisis Text Line (U.S.): Text HOME to 741741.
Reaching out for help is a sign of courage. You are not alone, and your life matters.