A devastating plane crash has claimed the lives of NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, and five other individuals, including their children. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, December 18, as the family embarked on a planned birthday trip to Florida. Moments before the crash, Cristina Biffle reportedly sent a harrowing text message to her mother, Cathy Grossu, stating, “We’re in trouble,” signaling the imminent danger aboard the aircraft.
The fatal accident resulted in a total of seven fatalities. Among those who perished were Greg Biffle, 55, Cristina Biffle, 35, their five-year-old son Ryder, and Greg Biffle’s 14-year-old daughter Emma, from a previous marriage. Also killed in the crash were Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. This profound loss has sent shockwaves through the motorsports community and beyond, leaving multiple families heartbroken.
Cathy Grossu, Cristina’s mother, recounted the chilling final communication with her daughter. She described receiving the brief, urgent text message from the plane, which simply conveyed the severity of their situation. Grossu expressed immense grief, stating that her family is “devastated” and “brokenhearted” by the sudden and horrific nature of the tragedy, which cut short a joyful family occasion.
The group had been anticipating a celebratory “birthday trip” to Florida, a journey that tragically concluded before reaching its destination. Grossu reflected on the irony of such a joyous planned event ending in such a catastrophic manner. She conveyed her disbelief and profound sorrow at the loss, struggling to comprehend the reality that her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren were gone.
Just the day prior to the crash, Cristina and Greg Biffle had visited Cathy Grossu’s home. Grossu shared her regret over not recalling their final words, a detail she fears will haunt her indefinitely, though she remembered the warmth of their final embraces. She emphasized that the family, including Ryder and Emma, were vibrant individuals who “embraced every aspect of their life and every moment,” leaving behind a legacy of positivity.
Cristina Biffle was widely known for her philanthropic spirit and dedication to helping others. Her mother revealed that in one of their last conversations, Cristina had discussed her ongoing initiative to send “Santa letters” at her own expense to families in need. Cristina had specifically asked her mother to collect the final 17 letters from a local store to ensure they were mailed before her flight, a final act of kindness.
This commitment to charity underscored Cristina’s compassionate character. She meticulously prepared the remaining letters upon returning home, ensuring they would bring joy to the recipients. Erica Zangwill, President and CEO of the Carolina Aviators Network and a close friend, echoed these sentiments, describing Cristina as an individual with “the biggest heart” who consistently prioritized others.
Initial reports following the crash did not immediately identify the victims, leading to a period of anxious speculation. The devastating news was later officially confirmed by Rep. Richard Hudson, a family friend, who issued a statement via social media. Hudson conveyed his profound sadness and extended his condolences to all who knew and loved the Biffle family.
Rep. Hudson’s tribute highlighted Greg Biffle’s dual legacy as both a celebrated NASCAR champion and an exceptional person dedicated to community service. He noted Biffle’s ability to thrill millions of fans on the track but also emphasized his selflessness off it, suggesting he would be remembered as much for his humanitarian efforts as for his racing prowess and fearlessness.
In a collective statement released shortly after the tragedy, the families of the Biffles, the Duttons, and Wadsworth acknowledged the immense grief they were experiencing. The statement articulated their shared devastation, describing themselves as “heartbroken beyond words” by the sudden and incomprehensible loss of their loved ones, underscoring the widespread impact of the disaster.
