Identities of 11 Reno Air Races victims released
By Reno Gazette-Journal
5:04pm update: The 11th person killed in the Reno Air Races crash has been identified by his mother in an interview with the Associated Press.
James McMichael, 47, of Graham, Wash., was at the show because he “loved planes,” his mother, Darlene McMichael, said. “That’s why most people go to those things.”
She said her son was survived by his wife and an extensive family.
“Our family has a great faith,” she said. “And we feel like things happen for a reason. It doesn’t make it easier.”
3:45pm update: The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday confirmed the names of five victims of Friday’s crash at the National Championship Air Races, bringing the total of those officially identified to 10.
Eleven people, including pilot Jimmy Leeward, died in the crash Friday afternoon, when Leeward’s modified P-51 Mustang, The Galloping Ghost, crashed into the front two rows of VIP boxes at Reno-Stead Airport.
The victims confirmed by the medical examiner’s office on Tuesday were: John Craik, 45, of Gardnerville; Sheryl Elvin, 71, Lenexa, Kan.; Wendy Hewitt, 56, of Fort Mohave, Ariz.; Craig Salerno, 50, of Friendswood, Texas and Michael Wogan, 22, Scottsdale, Ariz.
It had previously identified victims George Hewitt, 60, of Fort Mohave, Ariz.; Regina Bynun, 53, of San Angelo, Texas; Sharon Stewart, 47, of Reno; Greg Morcom, 47, of Stanwood, Wash., and the pilot Leeward, 74, of Ocala, Fla.
