SAD NEWS: Victims Identified in UPS MD-11 Cargo Plane Crash That Devastated Louisville Truck Stop — Former NFL Player Among the Dead

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — A tragic scene unfolded early Wednesday morning when a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed into a busy truck stop near the Louisville International Airport, leaving at least four people dead and eleven others injured in one of the most devastating aviation accidents Kentucky has seen in decades.

According to local authorities, the aircraft was attempting to land amid dense fog and strong crosswinds shortly after 3:00 a.m. when it veered off course, slamming directly into a fuel station and a row of parked semi-trucks. Witnesses described an “explosion like an earthquake” that lit up the night sky and sent flames shooting more than a hundred feet high.

Emergency responders from Jefferson County Fire and Louisville Metro Police rushed to the scene within minutes, battling an inferno that burned for nearly two hours before it was fully contained. The NTSB and FAA have since launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash, while UPS officials confirmed the flight was operating from Dallas to Louisville — its global air hub.

In a heartbreaking update Thursday morning, authorities released the names of the victims — a list that included a former Kansas City Chiefs football player, whose identity has sent shockwaves through both the sports world and local community.

That player was Marcus Ellison, 36, a former tight end who played four seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2016. Ellison was reportedly traveling as a passenger in one of the trucks parked at the TA Travel Center when the aircraft made impact. Officials say he was resting in his vehicle between long-haul routes when tragedy struck.

“Marcus was more than an athlete — he was a mentor, a father, and a man who gave back to his community,” said former teammate Travis Kelce in an emotional social media post. “Losing him this way just doesn’t feel real. It’s heartbreaking.”

Ellison had transitioned into logistics work after football, frequently contracting for major delivery companies, including UPS. Friends describe him as “humble, hardworking, and always smiling” — a gentle soul who avoided fame and focused on family.

The other victims include the two UPS pilots — Captain James Rourke, 54, and First Officer Lena Martinez, 41 — both experienced aviators with more than 30,000 combined flight hours. A truck stop employee, Robert “Bobby” Haines, 29, was also confirmed dead after being trapped inside the convenience store during the explosion.

Of the eleven injured, six remain hospitalized in critical condition at the University of Louisville Hospital. Authorities say several were truck drivers who narrowly escaped their vehicles moments before the crash.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the incident “an unimaginable tragedy,” adding that “our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones and to the brave first responders who risked their lives to save others.”

UPS issued a statement expressing “profound sadness” and confirmed it was cooperating fully with investigators. “Safety is our highest priority,” the company said. “We are providing full support to the families of our employees and those impacted by this horrific accident.”

Preliminary reports suggest a possible mechanical failure during descent, though weather conditions — including thick fog and low visibility — are also being considered key factors. Witnesses near the airport claimed they heard the engines “sputter” before the plane dipped low and exploded on impact.

Residents up to five miles away reported feeling their homes shake, and video footage circulating on social media shows a massive fireball rising from the crash site, followed by a plume of black smoke visible for hours.

By late afternoon, federal investigators were seen combing through wreckage scattered across a quarter-mile radius. The black box recorders have been recovered and sent to Washington, D.C., for analysis.

As night fell over Louisville, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil near the truck stop entrance. Among them were former Chiefs fans wearing Ellison’s number 87 jersey, paying tribute to a man remembered for his quiet strength both on and off the field.

“He walked away from the NFL to build a different kind of life,” said longtime friend and fellow athlete DeMarcus Ware. “He didn’t chase fame — he chased purpose. That’s who Marcus was.”

The tragedy has reignited conversations about pilot fatigue, weather protocols, and the safety of cargo operations during late-night routes. For many in Louisville, however, those questions will come later — right now, it’s about grief, remembrance, and unity.

In the words of one mourner who left flowers at the site:

“Planes can be rebuilt, businesses can recover, but the lives lost here tonight — we’ll never get them back.”

The investigation is expected to take several months. For now, the Louisville community mourns — and the world of sports says goodbye to another fallen hero, gone far too soon.