Victims Identified in Odessa Plane Crash

ODESSA, TX — The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the identities of the two individuals killed in this morning’s plane crash in Odessa.

We reported earlier that this happened just before 7 a.m. near the intersection of Alderfer Avenue and East Yukon Street, involving a 1991 Cessna 550.

The victims have been identified as Joseph Vincent Summa, 48, of Bellaire, Texas, who was the pilot, and Joleen Cavaretta Weatherly, 49, of Orange, Texas, who was a passenger on the flight.

Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to preliminary information from DPS, the aircraft was flying southbound at a low altitude over Yukon and Alderfer Avenue when it struck a power line. The plane then continued southbound, crashing into a private alley and impacting several homes and sheds. Despite the pilot’s apparent attempt to avoid residential areas, the impact caused significant damage, and both victims were killed instantly.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been notified and are conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash. The weather conditions at the time were clear.

No further information is available at this time, but updates will be provided as the investigation continues.