NEED TO KNOW
A pal of Greg Biffle stated the NASCAR driver and his household had been on board the aircraft that crashed in North Carolina with a number of fatalities on Dec. 18
Garrett Mitchell, who’s also referred to as web persona Cleetus McFarland, stated Biffle and his household had been on their strategy to “spend the afternoon with us”
Mitchell stated he’s “devastated” by the information and “so sorry to share this”
NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his spouse and son had been onboard their aircraft when it crashed Thursday morning in North Carolina, in accordance with a pal.
Authorities stated {that a} aircraft belonging to Biffle, 55, crashed whereas touchdown at Statesville Regional Airport round 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.
The FAA confirmed the crash to PEOPLE and stated an investigation was underway, and the Related Press additionally reported that the FAA and native authorities confirmed that the crash has resulted in a number of fatalities.
Shortly after that information broke, fellow NASCAR driver and longtime pal of Biffle’s, Garrett Mitchell, who’s also referred to as web persona Cleetus McFarland, stated it was Biffle and his household on the aircraft.
“Sadly, I can affirm Greg Biffle, his spouse Christina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder had been on that aircraft…as a result of they had been on their strategy to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell wrote on Fb. “We’re devastated. I am so sorry to share this.”
Chris Graythen/Getty
Greg Biffle on Feb. 19, 2022
Legislation enforcement has not but confirmed the identities of these deceased.
Biffle and Mitchell turned shut buddies over time, bonding over their love of race vehicles and giving again to the neighborhood by means of hurricane reduction efforts.
Information present that the aircraft is owned by Biffle, 55, by means of GB Aviation Leasing, in accordance with native information retailers WSOC and Fox 8. The handle on file for GB Aviation matches the handle for Biffle, the retailers stated.
A witness who was reportedly close by the scene at Lakewood Golf Membership informed WSOC that they observed the aircraft was flying “approach too low” earlier than the crash.
The station additionally stated it needed to have its personal chopper “flip again as a consequence of inclement climate circumstances that restricted visibility on the airport to about 5 miles” whereas trying to cowl the crash space.
Biffle started his NASCAR profession in 1995. He was one in all simply three drivers ever to win a championship in each the Busch Sequence and the Craftsman Truck Sequence. He was additionally named the 2001 Rookie of the 12 months within the NASCAR Busch Sequence earlier than happening to changing into the 2002 champion. Biffle received 19 races from 2003 to 2016.
Biffle married spouse Cristina Grossu in 2023, and share a 5-year-old son Ryder. He additionally shares daughter Emma, 14, with ex-wife Nicole Lunders.
Learn the unique article on Individuals