Louisville plane crash victims are being identified. What we know about each one
At least 14 people have been confirmed dead after a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport late Tuesday afternoon.
Three of the victims were members of the crew of Flight 2976, which was leaving Louisville bound for Honolulu. At approximately 5:15 p.m. during takeoff, the left engine of the MD-11 McDonnell Douglas aircraft detached, sending the plane plummeting to the ground, hitting the roof of a UPS Supply Chain Warehouse and other structures in the vicinity.
Other victims included those working at or visiting businesses nearby.
Mayor Craig Greenberg said in an update Saturday night that officials think the death toll will remain at 14.
He said 13 victims were found at the crash site, which matches the number of missing persons reports received by the Louisville Metro Police Department, and one victim died at the hospital.
“The Jefferson County Coroner is working rapidly to identify each victim and will make their names public as soon as their identities are confirmed,” Greenberg said in a statement shared on social media. “May the victims’ memories be a blessing.”
Sean Garber, CEO and owner of Grade A Recycling said as of Saturday afternoon, three of his employees were missing: Megan Washburn, John Loucks and a third woman whose family has asked not to release information about her. Garber said Washburn was a young mother and “a wonderful young lady.”
Garber said three customers, including a 3-year-old child, died at the business.
While a complete list of names has not yet been released, here’s what we know about each of the victims who have been identified as of Friday night.
Louisnes ‘Lou’ Fedon and Kimberly Asa, 3
Louisnes “Lou” Fedon and his granddaughter, Kimberly Asa, “were were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, becoming victims of this catastrophic and unforeseen accident,” according to a GoFundMe account set up to support Fedon’s teenage children.
“His death has created a sudden and immense void that goes far beyond emotional grief,” it reads.
ABC News reports, citing a family friend, Fedon and Kimberly, 3, died as a result of the crash, and Fedon often visited the scrapyard near the airport as a source of income.
Fedon had four children and three grandchildren, according to ABC.
Neighbors of Fedon told WAVE he was a good neighbor who was devoted to his family.
Matt Sweets
Matt Sweets, a father of two young children, died Thursday, his sister Michelle Sweets said in a Facebook post.
Sweets suffered severe burns in the aftermath of the crash, according to a GoFundMe account set up to support his children and girlfriend.
The University of Louisville College of Business offered its condolences, saying Sweets graduated from the school with a marketing degree in 2011. The college shared a statement from his sister Carrie Ryan, who said “Matt lived with love, humility and quiet strength.
“He was a devoted father, a loving partner, a caring son and the best big brother anyone could ask for. He had a way of making everyone feel seen and cared for. Our hearts are shattered, and we’re struggling to grasp that he’s truly gone.”
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Capt. Richard Wartenberg
UPS identified all three of its crew members who died in the crash, including Capt. Richard Wartenberg, of Independence, in Kenton County, according to WLKY.
Arizona state Rep. Wendy Rogers, a former Air Force pilot from Kentucky, wrote in a social media post that Wartenberg “flew the C-141 Starlifter in the Air Force.
“He served as a pilot in the Air Force Reserve, starting in 1974 when he joined the 356th Tactical Airlift Squadron. He was later assigned to the 356th Airlift Squadron within the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio,” Rogers wrote. “As an aircrew member, he flew the C-141C transport aircraft on numerous missions. Colleagues have shared that he was a skilled and respected pilot, with one former crew chief noting they flew together on many operations.
“Wartenberg rose to the rank of Major and earned the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions. On September 11, 2001, he flew missions over the Pentagon and Ground Zero crash sites, observing the smoke plumes, and was then tasked with transporting U.S. special operations forces from RAF Mildenhall in England back to the U.S. for domestic response efforts.”
First Officer Lee Truitt, 45
First Officer Lee Truitt was from Albuquerque, N.M., and was described as “a beloved father, husband, son, brother, friend, and pilot,” according to a statement his family provided to KOB television.
His former employer, Bode Aviation, told the station Truitt had worked as a senior flight instructor and charter pilot and “demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, earning the respect and admiration of everyone he worked alongside.
“His dedication to his craft was matched only by his generosity of spirit — he continually returned to mentor our students and instructors, guiding the next generation of aviators with patience, wisdom, and care,” the company’s president and CEO said in a statement provided to KOB.
International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond
International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond was from Caldwell, Texas, WLKY reported.
Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 1 in Central Texas wrote in a Facebook post Diamond was a former commissioner and chief for the district.
“He ran towards danger so the rest of us can step back from it and that kind of devotion to his community leaves a mark on everyone it touches,” the district said. “He leaves behind not only a legacy of service but also the memories with fellow firefighters and the community he served. His contribution to the citizens of Bastrop County Texas are immeasurable. May his family find comfort in knowing he served our community to make it a better place and may we honor his memory.”
Herald-Leader staff writer Valarie Honeycutt Spears contributed to this report.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 11:14 PM.
