Nationwide — The death toll has risen to 13 after a UPS plane departing Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport crashed in a ball of flames earlier this week. Two of the victims who were on the ground have been identified as Louisnes Fedon, an African American man, and his 3-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa.
According to People, Fedon, a father of four and grandfather of three, had been visiting a scrapyard near the airport with his granddaughter to collect metal for income when the plane went down. A family friend said he was “simply an angel on earth” who helped raise a “whole village.”
Authorities say that they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, becoming victims of this catastrophic and unforeseen accident, and Fedon’s children, Shayna and Sheldon, say that their untimely deaths have created “a sudden and immense void that goes far beyond emotional grief.”
A GoFundMe page has been created on their behalf.
Meanwhile, a vigil was held for all of the victims during which Mayor Craig Greenberg urged the community to hold space for every person affected by the crash. “We pray tonight for all 13 of the victims that we know, as well as those who remain unidentified, and for all of their families,” he said, emphasizing the emotional toll the incident has taken. His remarks underscored the growing list of casualties and the need for ongoing support for survivors and loved ones.
Pilots Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond had already been identified as three of the fatalities. Their names were released earlier in the week as investigators continued to piece together what led to the aircraft going down.
UPS issued a formal statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of its crew members and the impact on the wider UPS community. The company said its “hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community,” calling the tragedy one of the most painful moments in recent memory for the organization. They added that ensuring employees and survivors receive appropriate care and resources remains a top priority.