Vigil Held For Four People Killed In West Jordan Plane Crash
Aug 8, 2020, 10:06 PM | Updated: Dec 20, 2022, 12:11 am
WEST JORDAN, Utah — The four people who died as a result of a plane crash in a West Jordan neighborhood were remembered Saturday during a special memorial.
The night was about healing for the community, and letting the three survivors — a mother and two children — know that they’re not alone.
It was shortly after take off on Saturday, July 25 that three families lost loved ones in a fiery plane crash.
“I definitely see life a lot differently than I did before,” said Autumn Allen who helped with rescue efforts following the crash.
Two weeks still feels like yesterday for neighbors like Autumn Allen.
“Lately, when I see my kids sleeping, I think about how Coral looked,” she said.
Autumn was one of several who ran to help on Picaddilly Circle after a plane carrying six passengers, including three children, crashed.
“She didn’t look… not the same color as most kids… you know that are alive,” Allen said.
Those who died include the pilot, 43-year-old Lee Wykoff, 36-year-old Milda Shibonis, and 9-month old baby girl Coral Wykoff.
“I said that’s the wrong kind of peaceful for a baby,” she said.
Mary Quintana, 72, was home when the plane hit, setting her house on fire. Mary died at the hospital two days later.
“It’s like surreal, you know,” said Gayle Hughes, Autumn’s mother and the one who organized the vigil. “It’s so close, and there were so many people that were affected by it.”
Firefighters @WJFD_UT, neighbors, Mayor Burton, and loved ones pay their respects… as they remember the 4 lives lost… @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/in7P6fWQfM
— Garna Mejia (@GarnaMejiaKSL) August 9, 2020
Neighbors, firefighters, and loved ones gathered to pay their respects Saturday. They lit candles to remember those who died.
“This is so nice,” said Joe Murillo, Mary Quintana’s brother. “Close-knit community.”
Then they set off lanterns for each of the four lives lost and prayed for closure from the tragedy that will stay with their community.
“There is going to be a lot of pain even after tonight, but this is kind of a way to say, ‘hey, we acknowledge what your families have been through and we want to be there for you,'” Hughes said.
Community members said they are planning on starting a petition to toughen up regulations for private planes at the nearby South Valley Regional Airport.
