Local News
Pilot Jacob Hosmer and Shawna Collins killed in Bangor private jet crash
Family members and close friends are grieving following a fatal aviation accident that claimed the lives of six people after a private business jet crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday night.
The aircraft, which was en route to France, erupted into flames after overturning on the runway, and authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. as the jet was departing amid severe winter weather conditions associated with Winter Storm Fern.
The FAA stated that the aircraft flipped during takeoff and subsequently caught fire. Emergency responders were dispatched immediately to the scene.
Audio from air traffic control communications captured moments surrounding the crash. Shortly before departure, a transmission was heard stating, โLet there be light.โ In the moments following the accident, air traffic controllers could be heard reporting, โAircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.โ
The FAA has not yet determined the cause of the crash, citing unknown circumstances surrounding the departure.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and will lead the investigation into the incident.
The jet was registered to a partner of the Houston-based personal injury law firm Arnold and Itkin Trial Lawyers.
Sources confirmed that Tara Arnold, an attorney with the firm and the wife of founding partner Kurt Arnold, was among those on board.
Tara Arnold, a 46-year-old mother of two and a native of Louisiana, was described on the firmโs website as a seasoned legal professional.
Kurt Arnold, who has reportedly secured more than $20 billion in verdicts and settlements during his legal career, and his law partner Jason Itkin were not aboard the flight, according to sources.
The pilot of the aircraft, Jacob Hosmer, 47, was also killed in the crash. Hosmer, an experienced aviator, began working for Arnold and Itkin in May 2025, according to his professional profile.
Fellow pilot Bob Howie shared a tribute to Hosmer on social media, posting a photograph of the two together and describing Hosmer as a close friend and respected pilot.
โIโm on the right, but on the left is my very good friend Jacob Hosmer, who was pilot-in-command last night when his Challenger 650 crashed on takeoff from Bangor, Maine,โ Howie wrote. โI knew Jakeโs co-pilot equally well and had flown with him too. God bless you guys. Godspeed and fair winds. Loved sharing the skies with you. A big loss.โ
Hosmerโs cousin, David Lopez Jr., also posted a tribute, calling him a role model and remembering him as someone whose presence brought light to those around him. โItโs surreal to think my cousin Jacob is no longer with us,โ Lopez wrote. โHe was the light of the room, and his smile was infectious. He will be forever missed.โ
Another victim was identified by family members as Shawna Collins, an event planner.
According to her daughter, Collins was traveling to Europe for a work-related trip at the time of the crash.
Authorities have not yet officially released the names of all six individuals killed in the accident.
In the aftermath of the crash, Bangor International Airport canceled or diverted incoming and outgoing flights and remained closed into Monday, according to a statement issued by the Bangor Police Department on social media.
Officials urged the public to avoid the area while emergency operations and the preliminary investigation continued.
The NTSB and FAA are expected to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at UrbanaโChampaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. โ A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coronerโs Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coronerโs Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguezโs death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguezโs death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.