Local News
Victims Identified After Three Medical Helicopter Crew Members Killed in Owenton Crash
A somber mood hangs over Kentucky following the tragic crash of a medical helicopter on Monday evening in Owen County. Three crew members lost their lives in the accident, which occurred near Kentucky Highway 22 East.
Kentucky State Police confirmed the identities of the deceased as Pilot Gale “Butch” Alleman, Flight Nurse Bethany Aicken, and Flight Paramedic James Welsh.
The Owen County coroner pronounced them dead at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the helicopter, a Bell 206, went down around 6 p.m.
According to Air Evac Lifeteam, the air medical service company operating the helicopter, the crew members were from their Grant County base (AEL 133) and were en route to pick up a patient when the crash happened.
“This is a terribly sad event, and our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of our employees,” a spokesperson for Air Evac Lifeteam expressed in a statement. “Our top priority right now is supporting the impacted families and our team members. We have deployed critical incident stress management teams to assist everyone during this difficult time.”
The spokesperson added that Air Evac Lifeteam is cooperating fully with the investigations being conducted by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NTSB expects investigators to arrive at the scene on Tuesday afternoon. However, they cautioned that uncovering the cause and circumstances surrounding the crash will be a lengthy process.
“A preliminary report will be issued within 30 days of the accident,” an NTSB statement explained. “This report will contain factual information gathered during the initial investigation phase.
Determining the probable cause of the crash, along with any contributing factors, will be detailed in the final report, which is expected to take 12 to 24 months to complete.”
The NTSB urged anyone with information or surveillance footage that might aid their investigation to contact them via email at witness@ntsb.gov.
The crash also caused a brief power outage for multiple Owen Electric Cooperative, Inc. customers around 6:30 p.m. Thankfully, power was restored to all affected areas just 20 minutes later by 6:50 p.m.
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.