UPS driver mourned by colleagues
Steve Krueger was killed on the ground when plane went down
SANTEE — The UPS driver who was killed when a plane crashed Monday afternoon into a Santee neighborhood was honored with a moment of silence” observed by UPS employees nationwide, a company spokesman said Tuesday.
The driver, Steve Krueger, was in his truck when a Cessna C340 crashed around 12:15 p.m. near Greencastle and Jeremy streets, east of Santana High School. Krueger and the pilot of the plane were killed.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our driver Steve Krueger, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” a UPS spokesman said in a statement. “Those who knew Steve said he took pride in his work, and his positive attitude and joyful laugh made the hardest days a little lighter. Steve was held in high regard and will be greatly missed.”
The company said a moment of silence was held at 12:14 p.m. “to pay our respects to Steve and his family.”
The plane was headed from Yuma, Ariz., to Montgomery Field in Kearny Mesa when it nosedived into the neighborhood. The crash site is about 11 miles east of the airport.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, which destroyed two homes and scattered debris near a dozen nearby homes. Two people were injured.
The plane was owned by a cardiologist with the Yuma Regional Medical Center, according to the hospital’s chief medical officer. The hospital confirmed the pilot’s identity as Dr. Sugata Das.
Krueger, 61, lived in Ocean Beach. According to his Facebook profile, he was a graduate of Bonita Vista High School and attended San Diego State University. He said on Facebook that he originally was from Milwaukee.
His car remained in the parking lot of the UPS facility in Kearny Mesa where he left it Monday. Co-workers left notes on top of the car and placed vases of flowers and a photo collage including pictures of him water skiing and snow skiing next to the vehicle.
The flag was flying halfstaff at the facility.