In a harrowing incident on Tuesday night, a twin-engine business jet crashed on a major highway in Laredo, Texas, resulting in one fatality and a dramatic rescue effort by passing motorists. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation Latitude operated by NetJets, went down shortly before 10 p.m. along Loop 20, igniting a fire that prompted immediate action from those nearby.
Dashcam footage and bystander videos captured the chaotic scene as motorists flocked to the burning wreckage, armed with tools such as sledgehammers and shovels. They worked tirelessly to pry open the plane’s door and assist the surviving passengers and crew, with some witnesses describing the sight of individuals desperately trying to smash the cockpit glass to facilitate an escape.
As flames engulfed the aircraft, three passengers and the pilot managed to escape after bystanders successfully opened the main door. A crew member, alongside a firefighter who arrived with a ladder, navigated through the smoke to rescue the remaining individuals trapped inside. Tragically, one of the six people aboard perished in the incident, while five police officers who responded to the scene were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among individuals on the ground.
In the aftermath of the crash, federal investigators have taken over the site, leading to a significant closure of Loop 20, which is a crucial route in the area. The Laredo Police Department announced that the road will remain closed for much of the day, with traffic being redirected to surrounding streets. Authorities are urging anyone with dashcam or cellphone footage of the incident to share it with the department to aid in the ongoing investigation.
While the exact cause of the crash is still under scrutiny, Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez indicated that a mechanical failure occurred before the aircraft went down. The jet had taken off from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico earlier that evening, at 6:19 p.m. NetJets, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has confirmed its involvement in the incident and is cooperating with the investigation.
