As daylight revealed the extent of the destruction, investigators began examining the wreckage of a Cessna Citation Latitude operated by NetJets that crashed on Loop 20 in Laredo late Tuesday night. Images from the scene showed the aircraft broken in two, with the tail section separated from the fuselage.
The business jet was carrying six people while flying from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Austin when it reportedly experienced mechanical problems and diverted toward Laredo International Airport. During the emergency descent, the aircraft struck a light pole and collided with a moving vehicle before impacting a highway barrier.
The crash claimed the life of Joshua Baer, a prominent figure in Texas’ startup community. The remaining five occupants, including two pilots and three teenagers, survived and escaped the wreckage with assistance from police officers and bystanders. Firefighters also rescued a pet that survived the accident. Five officers were later treated for smoke inhalation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. Authorities are focusing on the reported mechanical issue that forced the diversion, though the exact cause has not yet been determined.
