WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is confirming the identity of the fourth deceased person involved in yesterday’s mid-air two-plane crash over Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven.
Mr. Louis C. Defazio, 78 of Fredricksburg, Texas and Winter Haven, Florida, is one of two men who were in the Piper J-3 Cub airplane.
All four of those in the two planes have been identified, and next of kin have been notified.
Those killed were:
- Faith Irene Baker, 24, of Winter Haven, a pilot/flight instructor with Sunrise Aviation (Cherokee Piper 161)
- Zachary Jean Mace, 19, of Winter Haven, a student at Polk State College (Cherokee Piper 161)
- Randall Elbert Crawford, 67, from Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Piper J-3 Cub)
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Currently, both planes are still in the lake and are expected to be recovered by a contractor working with the NTSB sometime today, March 8, 2023.
“My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who were killed in today’s crash. The NTSB and FAA will be investigating the cause and circumstances of the collision. Please keep the families in your prayers during this difficult and stressful time,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention will be investigating the cause and circumstances of the crash.
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