Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Cedar Key Plane Crash Update



March 7, 2017

On February 12, 2017 a single engine plane inbound to Cedar Key crashed into the Gulf of Mexico approximately 6 miles SSE of the island. The pilot, Jasper Jerrels, passengers Hue Singletary and Dylan Jerrels perished. Both Jasper Jerrels and Hue Singletary were found by search crews. Dylan was not located.

On March 1, 2017 the LCSO, assisted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office dive team, responded near the coordinates where the main fuselage of the downed aircraft was located. Dan Griffith, owner/operator of the volunteer organization Florida Sonar Search Team, located debris and requested divers take a closer look to identify the objects. ACSO dive team members located personal effects and bone fragments at this location. The bone fragments have been examined by the Medical Examiner’s Office and verified as human bone. Based upon the location where they were found and type of bone, it is believed these are the remains of Dylan Jerrels. Additional DNA testing will be conducted to positively confirm this.

Sheriff McCallum vowed to continue the search for Dylan until he was located. He said, “I know this family personally and can understand the pain this family has to endure. I will continue this search until we can offer closure to Dylan’s family.” Search crews are scheduled to conduct additional searches in this same location later this week.

Sheriff McCallum also expressed his thanks to all the agencies, other Sheriff’s Offices and all volunteers that have aided us in this search, especially Mr. Griffith. Their assistance has been remarkable and is very much appreciated.
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