Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tyson Brummett and three other people were killed Friday morning in a plane crash in Utah.
Brummett, 35, was piloting the small plane, which crashed near Box Elder Peak in American Fork Canyon around 8 a.m. on Friday, according to the Utah County Sherriff’s Office.
The other three passengers were Alex Ruegner (35; Brummett’s friend), Douglas Blackhurst (62; Ruegner’s uncle), and Elaine Blackhurst (60; Ruegner’s aunt).
All four people died on impact. Here’s more, from the Utah County Sherriff’s Office:
A few minutes before 8:00 this morning Deputies with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of a small plane crash near Box Elder Peak in American Fork Canyon. A man and two of his sons were hiking when they saw the plane begin to turn, then spiral downward. The witness said the plane spiraled out of his view and moments later he heard the impact. He hiked up further to call 911. That call bounced to dispatch in Price, UT and was transferred to Central Utah Dispatch. The witness then climbed down to the plane and verified that the occupants died on impact
Brummett appeared for one game for the Phillies in 2012, and pitched in the minor leagues from 2007-14 (2007-12 in the Phillies’ organization, 2013 in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization, and 2014 in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization). He was a seventh-round pick by the Phillies in 2007 out of UCLA.
Here’s reaction to the tragedy from the baseball world:
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 4, 2020
"Our players and coaches will miss him very much. He was the definition of a winning pitcher. We love you Tyson" – Coach Savage
UCLA Baseball was saddened to hear of the passing of Tyson Brummett on Friday.
READ | https://t.co/YDNyWD1wR2 pic.twitter.com/Iy0X9ym6Dw
— UCLA Baseball (@UCLABaseball) July 4, 2020
.@UCLABaseball HCJohn Savage on Tyson Brummett:
“Tyson was about team and being a Bruin. He loved competing in a Bruin uniform, and was always about the right things. Our players and coaches will miss him very much. He was the definition of a winning pitcher. We love you Tyson.”
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) July 4, 2020
Our baseball family is saddened by the tragic news of Tyson Brummett's passing.
We send our deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/bPoW58IoNI
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) July 4, 2020
I just want you guys to know. Tyson was an incredible baseball player. An unbelievable teammate. And an even better person. I am proud to have even known him, let alone call him a friend. He was special.@UCLABaseball @bdeano4 #BruinFamily https://t.co/imo6RdR46w
— Cody Decker (@Decker6) July 4, 2020