Local News
Jaiden Pacheco and Geovani Aponte Jr. Identified as Victims in Fatal Head-On Crash on Route 6 in Chaplin
CHAPLIN, Conn. — Connecticut State Police have identified the two young men who were killed in a head-on collision late Friday night on Route 6 in Chaplin that also left two other people with serious injuries.
The victims were identified as Jaiden Pacheco, 20, of Windham, and Geovani Aponte Jr., 19, of Willimantic.
According to Connecticut State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 11:53 p.m. on Friday, June 26, on Willimantic Road (Route 6) in Chaplin.
The preliminary investigation indicates the collision involved a Hyundai Elantra and a Dodge Journey. The impact was head-on, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.
When emergency responders arrived, they found four occupants inside the Hyundai Elantra, all of whom were unresponsive.
Authorities said Jaiden Pacheco and Geovani Aponte Jr. sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The two remaining occupants of the Hyundai suffered serious injuries and were transported to Hartford Hospital for emergency treatment. Officials have not released their identities or provided updates on their conditions.
The driver of the Dodge Journey sustained minor injuries and was transported to Windham Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The Connecticut State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (C.A.R.S.) responded to the scene to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Investigators are working to determine what caused the vehicles to collide head-on. Authorities have not yet released information regarding possible contributing factors, including speed, impairment, distraction, roadway conditions, or whether either vehicle crossed the center line.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Connecticut State Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that may assist investigators to contact State Police Troop D.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Van’s RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airport’s fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emge’s contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.