Victim killed in car ID'd, 9-year-old son severely burned in Northeast Philadelphia plane crash

Family says the 9-year-old boy has burns to 90% of his body

Thursday, February 6, 2025 6:11PM
Victim killed on the ground in NE Philly plane crash identified
Victim killed on the ground in NE Philly plane crash identified

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have released the name of the man who was killed on the ground when a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday.

City resident Steven Dreuitt, 37, was found dead inside a vehicle after the plane crashed just before 6:10 p.m. in the 2300 block of Cottman Avenue.

Several vehicles were traveling in the area at the time.

According to Dreuitt's family, his girlfriend and 9-year-old son, Ramesses Vazquez, were also in the car. The boy's mother, Jamie Vazquez-Viana, tells Action News he has burns to 90% of his body.

Ramesses Vazquez
Ramesses Vazquez

"It's surreal. It's my reality. I'm dying inside. I'm super scared. I'm hurt but I have the support of my family and friends," said said.

Vazquez-Viana says she's taking it day by day and trying to be strong for her son as he receives care out of state. She described him as fearless and brave.

"We just hoping for the best and we like leaning on prayer. It's heartbreaking just going through it," she added.

There was no immediate word on the condition of Dreuitt's girlfriend.

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The number of people injured remains at 24. However, city officials have stressed that the numbers could rise as the investigation continues.

Six people inside the jet, including a child patient, her mother and four crew members, were also killed. All were from Mexico.

"We still will not have a definitive answer about the number of victims or casualties until we are done with the entire forensic investigation and process all of the samples that were collected from the site," Philadelphia Managing Director Adam Thiel said during a news conference Tuesday.

The girl killed on the Learjet 55 air ambulance had been receiving medical treatment at Shriners Children's Hospital in Philadelphia.

Valentina Guzmán Murillo
Valentina Guzmán Murillo

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said the plane had been taking Valentina Guzmán Murillo, 11, and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna, 31, home to Mexico. It plummeted within a minute of taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Jet Rescue identified its team members as Dr. Raul Meza Arredondo, 41; the captain, Alan Montoya Perales, 46; the copilot, Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, 43; and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, 41.

"She (Valentina) was brave! It was a long process from the day she was born," said the girl's aunt, Faby Guzman. "Her mom and dad were always with her many sleepless nights...Lizeth always looked for a better quality of life for her daughter. We had many plans, but unfortunately, it didn't happen. Valentina was super smiley. She really liked me dancing for her and listening to music. She danced too and laughed."

Valentina had recently completed treatment for a condition not easily treated in Mexico, hospital officials have said.

On Wednesday night, dozens gathered at the scene for a vigil to honor the victims.

"We wanted to be out here to come together as a community so that we could heal and to pray for the victims," said Miguel Andrade of Northeast Philadelphia.

Officials say the NTSB has finished its work at the crash site. Forensics teams are still working to collect data and NTSB's preliminary report is expected in about a month.

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Federal investigators will examine the black box recovered on Sunday, along with other evidence, to determine what may have caused the crash.

On Tuesday, the NTSB released images of the cockpit flight recorder (CVR), which was discovered 8 feet deep in the crater left in the aftermath of the crash on Cottman Avenue.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the plane did not have a data recorder, but investigators are hoping to retrieve flight data from the jet's ground proximity warning system.

"Information can come off that device, whether it's the speed or location of the aircraft. We will be able to get some data, hopefully, off that device," he said.

NTSB releases an image of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the Learjet 55 that crashed on Jan. 31 in Philadelphia
NTSB releases an image of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the Learjet 55 that crashed on Jan. 31 in Philadelphia
NTSB

Four homes were destroyed, six received major damage, and 11 received other damages. In all, 366 properties were impacted in some way, officials revealed Tuesday.

WATCH: New video gives closest look yet at site of plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia

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