Family of 4 Among Victims of Ohio Plane Crash That Killed 6 People


NEED TO KNOW

  • A family of four has been identified as being among the six victims of the plane crash that took place in Ohio on Sunday, June 29
  • The pilot was named Joseph Maxin, 63; co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55; passengers Veronica Weller, 68, James Weller II, 67, John Weller, 36, and Maria Weller, 34
  • While the family reportedly owned steel manufacturing plants in the Youngstown-Warren area, Maxin was the director of compliance for the Western Reserve Port Authority

A family of four is among the six victims of a small plane crash that took place in an Ohio neighborhood.

One day after the Sunday, June 29, crash, the Trumbull County Coroner revealed the victims’ identities, which included pilot Joseph Maxin, 63, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, according to NBC affilaite WFMJ, CBS affiliate WOIO and NBC affiliate WKYC.

Veronica Weller, 68, James Weller II, 67, John Weller, 36, and Maria Weller, 34, were the passengers when the plane crashed just minutes after takeoff.

According to the Associated Press, Veronica and James were married, while their son John was married to Maria.

The family, who reportedly owned steel manufacturing plants in the Youngstown-Warren area, was on their way to vacation in Montana when the crash occurred.

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Meanwhile, according to Associated Press, Maxin was the director of compliance for the Western Reserve Port Authority, which owns the airport. He also previously worked as an assistant prosecutor for the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office.

PEOPLE reached out to the Trumbull County Coroner for comment on Tuesday, July 1.

Western Reserve Port Authority said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that Maxim was “a selfless public servant and pilot” who “dedicated his life to serving the Mahoning Valley.”

“Joey’s legacy and impact on this community will not be forgotten,” the agency added. “If you were to ask anyone in the aviation industry which pilot they trust the most to fly with or teach, without a doubt Joey would be at the top of the list.

“He was known and respected as one of the best pilots in the business and someone we all looked up to and trusted immensely,” their statement added. “His passion and enthusiasm for aviation was unmatched and infectious to all those around him.”

According to NBC News, the plane took off from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and crashed seven minutes later.

A sign for the Youngstown -Warren Regional Airport.

Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo


PEOPLE previously reported that first responders located the crash site in a “heavily wooded area.”

Local resident Rachel Flowers told Cleveland 19 that she was woken up by the crash.

“I thought there was a storm and then two more pops of thunder-like sound,” she said. “Smoke lots of smoke, flames at the beginning, but the fire crew put it out pretty fast, I mean, they were on it.”

Paying tribute to their late former staff member, Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement on Facebook.

“The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former longtime employee and Assistant Prosecutor, Joseph Maxin,” their statement read.

“Attorney Maxin first joined the Prosecutor’s Office in 1990, where he served in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions,” they added. “He notably represented the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office, contributing to the County’s legal efforts with professionalism and integrity. After leaving the office in 2007, Joe returned in 2017 to continue his service in the Criminal Division, once again bringing his knowledge to the courtroom.”

The office continued, “Joe eventually left the Prosecutor’s Office to pursue his lifelong passion for aviation, joining the Western Reserve Port Authority. He was not only a skilled attorney but also a beloved friend and colleague, known for his kindness, good nature, and one-of-a-kind humorous personality.”

“I can’t think of better people,” a representative from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport said, per Cleveland 19. “And our community is at a great loss and these were really wonderful people. It’s a very tight-knit community.”

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