Two victims identified in deadly B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (KABC) -- As officials continue investigating a deadly B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, families are beginning to identify and remember the victims on board.
All eight crew members died Monday when the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress went down shortly after takeoff during what officials described as a routine test mission.
Among the victims were Lt. Col. Miles Middleton and Jeromy Smith, a civilian flight-test engineer for the Department of Defense.
Middleton was identified through a GoFundMe page established to support his wife and children.
Smith's death has also left a young family grieving. His widow, Lauren Smith, said the couple welcomed a baby four months ago.
"It can't be real. There's no way that it's real. It was supposed to be another routine day of work. He's been doing it for 10 years, and it's the same routine every day. Get up, get ready, kiss me goodbye... I was heartbroken when I heard that his plane went down," she said.
Boeing confirmed that two of its employees were among those on board Monday's flight.
At a press conference Monday, officials confirmed that eight people died in the crash. Their names were not immediately released as officials work to notify next of kin.
Tracking data shows that the B-52 made a sharp right turn and nearly completed a 180-degree turn before plunging into the ground at about 60 miles per hour.
Officials at Edwards Air Force Base said it could take up to six months to determine what caused the crash.
The base is located in the Mojave Desert, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.
