Louisville city officials released the names of the 14 people who died when UPS Flight 2976 crashed into businesses on Nov. 4, moments after it took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
“It really saddens me to have to be here and speaking to you about such a tragedy,” Jefferson County Coroner Jo-Ann Farmer said on Nov. 12 before she announced the names of the people who died.
The coroner confirmed that the three crew members on the UPS cargo plane were identified as Capt. Dana Diamond (62), Capt. Richard Wartenberg (57), and First Officer Lee Truitt (45).
Victims on the ground were Angela Anderson (45), Carlos Fernandez (52), Louisnes Fedon (47), Kimberly Asa (the 3-year-old granddaughter of Louisnes Fedon), Trinadette “Trina” Chavez (37), Tony Crain (65), John Loucks (52), John Spray (45), Matthew Sweets (37), Ella Petty Whorton (31), and Megan Washburn (35).
“They were identified by DNA,” Farmer said. “Some by DNA and dental records, some by DNA and medical records, but all of them were positively identified by the DNA.”
The Jefferson County Coroner’s office finalized testing just hours before it revealed the names.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a press conference on Nov 12, “At this point in time, we believe that all of the victims have been located, have been identified, and the families have been notified.”
UPS, which first confirmed the deaths of three crew members on Nov. 6, issued a statement regarding the coroner’s announcement on Nov. 12.
“We honor them and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones at this exceedingly difficult time,“ it stated. ”We appreciate the dedication and compassion shown by the coroner’s office throughout this process.”
The MD-11 cargo freighter crashed into Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts just outside of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport after an engine allegedly separated from the plane’s left wing during takeoff, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The crash site, including the locations of the damaged businesses, is still restricted and being monitored 24/7 by the Louisville Police Department.
“Our city feels the full weight of this unimaginable tragedy,” Greenberg said. “Behind every one of these names is a circle of families, friends, [and] stories that will forever be unfinished.”
There’s no word on when nearby roads will reopen.
The NTSB is investigating the cause.
All three runways at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport are fully operational.
