How the Philly Plane Crash Had a Tragic Result For This Black Man On the Ground

A Philadelphia family is mourning the loss of their loved one who was a victim of last week’s deadly plane crash. Local police have identified 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt as the person who was found dead in his car when a medical plane leaving the Northeast Philadelphia Airport crashed on January 31, leaving wreckage and a massive fire on the ground below.

According to his family, Dreuitt was driving with his girlfriend, Dominique, and his nine-year-old son, Ramesses, to the Macy’s store at Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Mall – which is less than five miles from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport –when a Learjet 55 crashed, killing all six of the passengers and crew members on board.

Dreuitt’s son and partner were among the more than 20 people who were injured in the accident. Ramesses mother, Jamie Vazquez-Viana, told Philadelphia’s ABC 6 Action News that the crash left her son with burns on 90 of his body. Although she is “super scared” about her son’s condition, she is leaning on family and friends and praying for the best possible outcome for his recovery.

“We just hoping for the best, and we like leaning on prayer. It’s heartbreaking just going through it,” she said.

Dreuitt’s partner Dominique, was also injured in the crash. Her cousin, Shantelle Fletcher, confirmed the news to reporters.

“She is in a medically-induced coma,” she told Philadelphia’s NBC10 on February 2. “Seventy percent of her body is burnt.”

As the city continues to assess the damage in the area, local officials held an emergency community meeting on February 5 to discuss resources available to residents who have been impacted by the crash.

According to ABC 6 Action News, the Philadelphia Register of Wills announced it will replace “essential records destroyed or damaged in the crash” free of charge. The commerce department announced emergency grants for affected businesses. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker also announced the creation of a ‘One Philly Fund’ to support victims of the crash.