BREAKING: Two CEOs Die in Tragic Plane Crash; Dog Survives

Two CEOs are among the four victims who were killed in the Feb. 13 Colorado plane crash.

An Epic E1000 carrying four people crashed in remote mountainous terrain near the city of Steamboat Springs at around 12:20 a.m. local time on Friday, Feb. 13, PEOPLE previously reported.

The victims have been identified as millionaire CEO Aaron Stokes, 47, his son Jakson, 21, and nephew Colin Stokes, 21, and 37-year-old boss Austin Huskey, Fox 17 News reported, citing the Routt County Coroner.

Aaron was the founder of the car repair businesses EuroFix, Amerifix, and Shop Fix Academy, based in Franklin, Tenn., according to his LinkedIn page.

“The loss has deeply impacted his family, the Shop Fix Academy team, and the broader automotive community,” the company said in a statement on Facebook. “Stokes helped thousands of auto repair shop owners, and countless other business leaders, achieve meaningful growth in their businesses and leadership …His legacy extends far beyond financial performance…”

Aaron’s son Jakson was a student at Franklin Christian Academy in Franklin, according to his Facebook page.

Kalia Velez, Jakson’s girlfriend, wrote on Instagram, “I don’t even have the words to truly express how much my heart hurts. It feels so unreal, truly my worst nightmare … Jakson, you are my best friend and the love of my life … This is going to be so difficult, and I don’t want to live life without you…”

Huskey was the third-generation CEO of Huskey Building Supply, based in Franklin. In 2025, he was recognized on LBM Journal’s 40 under 40 list.

The company said in a statement on Instagram, “With heavy hearts, we grieve the unexpected passing of our CEO, Austin Huskey. Austin was a fearless leader, a gracious man, a devoted father and husband, and a faithful follower of Christ …Austin led by example … led by his own actions and words.”

Huskey is survived by his wife, Kat Huskey, and their two children.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told PEOPLE that preliminary information indicates that the circumstances of the plane crash were “unknown.” Citing Tennessee business records, The New York Times reported that the aircraft involved in the crash was registered to ALS Aviation, a limited liability company in Franklin.

According to flight data, the plane departed Kansas City Downtown Airport just after 10 p.m., for Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs before it crashed southeast of the airport. The plane had flown from Nashville to Kansas City the evening before.

An aircraft carrying up to 50 people on the shoreline after veering off the runway during an emergency crash-landing at Somalia’s main airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB are investigating the incident.

PEOPLE has contacted the Routt County Office of the Coroner, Routt County Sheriff’s Office, NTSB and FAA for comment but did not immediately receive responses.

Meanwhile, an award-winning pilot and his wife tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on Wednesday (Feb 11), while their pet dog miraculously survived. Ron Timmermans, a highly decorated flight instructor, was piloting a single-engine Beechcraft A36 over East Texas with his wife, Barbara, when he radioed an emergency due to engine problems.

As the plane came in low, it struck a power line, according to a report in the New York Post. The aircraft then crashed into the ground near several homes in a quiet neighbourhood. Authorities said the plane crash was reported to have been caused by oil covering the windshield.

Shocking images of the incident showed the plane nestled into the ground with its tail pointing to the sky, highlighting the intensity of the crash. People living nearby heard a loud noise and ran outside to see what had happened. The couple’s little pooch, miraculously made it out of the wreck unscathed and was rescued by the people.

“The dog was alive, and so one of the neighbours took the dog to take care of. It was just loud, just mangling,” said neighbour Mary Ann Shoulders.

“You could hear the metal mangling and stuff. I saw the woman, and I didn’t recognise her because I thought it might be one of our neighbours, but I didn’t recognise her,” she added.