Warrick County Pastor, 88, Dies After Plane Strikes Car During Takeoff Near Boonville

BOONVILLE, Ind. —

Leon Hatchett, an 88-year-old pastor at Wayside Chapel Church in Warrick County, has died from injuries he suffered when a plane taking off near Boonville struck the car he was in, according to WFIE 14 News. Boonville police confirmed his death Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, and the coroner identified him.

The crash happened Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18. Boonville police said the plane was taking off westbound on the runway when it hit a car traveling on Baker Road, and the plane's landing gear came off. Dispatchers got the call around 3:05 p.m., and Hatchett was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Warrick County Sheriff Michael Wilder said dispatch was told of “a potential aircraft having some type of mechanical failure, striking a vehicle.” The plane stayed in the air while the pilot worked with fire crews on an emergency landing plan. Boonville Fire Chief Steven Byers said the pilot burned the fuel down from about 12 gallons to about 2 before landing safely back at Boonville Airport a little after 5 p.m. The pilot was not hurt.

Police say the crash is still under investigation. Officials have not said what caused the landing gear to fail, and federal agencies were expected to assist.

Church leaders told 14 News that Hatchett had been part of Wayside Chapel for more than 40 years. Earlier in life he owned a bar, a bake shop and a car dealership, and at age 63 he ran a marathon from Interstate 69 to the church, raising $10,000.

“We were stunned like anybody else was. We were stunned and we were heartbroken,” Associate Pastor Jacob Conner said. He called Hatchett “a man of love” and “a man of faith,” and said the family is “trusting in God.”

Services at Wayside Chapel will resume this Sunday, 14 News reported. Funeral plans had not been announced.