A catastrophic plane crash in Parker County, Texas, took three lives on the afternoon of Sunday, January 14, 2024.
The deceased were identified as Dr. Heath Smith, a renowned bariatric surgeon and vice president of the Paradise Independent School District Board, and his two young children, aged six and eight.
The accident happened at approximately 1:15 p.m. The twin-engine Cessna 310 aircraft was traveling from Dimmit County Airport in Carrizo Springs, Texas, to the Bridgeport Municipal Airport in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Reports reveal that the plane did not make it to its target destination and was discovered in a pasture roughly 10 miles southwest of the planned landing spot.
Will Brewer, the superintendent of Paradise Independent School District, emphasized Dr. Smith’s considerable influence on his community.
In expressing deep sorrow over the loss, Brewer portrayed Dr. Smith as a vital member of the school district, valued for his enthusiasm for the district and his contributions as an alumnus, parent, and board member.
A native of Paradise, Texas, Smith was an alumnus of Texas A&M University at College Station.
He received his Doctor of Medicine degree and finished his residency at the Virginia Tech/Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia.
His medical specialization included bariatric surgery, colonoscopy, colorectal surgery, and surgical oncology. He was affiliated with My Bariatric Solutions, where his biography acknowledges his dedication to his field.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, among other agencies, is conducting an investigation to establish the cause of the crash. The specific events leading up to the accident are still undetermined.
