Families Seek Justice in Fatal Medical Jet Crash
The operators of a medical flight that crashed in a fiery explosion in Philadelphia, killing eight people, are now facing a wrongful death lawsuit. The legal action was filed on behalf of the estates of two victims who perished in the devastating incident earlier this year.
Details of the Tragic Incident
On January 31, 2025, a Med Jets Learjet 55 plummeted to the ground in a residential area of Philadelphia shortly after 6pm. The aircraft exploded upon impact, triggering a massive fire. Federal investigators reported that the resulting wreckage field stretched an astonishing 1,410 feet long and 640 feet wide.
The crash claimed the lives of all six people on board: patient Lizeth Murillo Osuna, her 11-year-old daughter Valentina Guzman Murillo, doctor Raul Meza Arredondo, Captain Alan Alejandro Montoya Perales, co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez Juarez, and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla.
Tragically, the disaster also killed two people on the ground. Steven Dreuitt, 37, died when the plane crashed into the road where he was driving with his 9-year-old son and girlfriend. His girlfriend, Dominique Goods-Burke, succumbed to her injuries three months later.
Legal Action and Investigation Findings
On November 17, 2025, the estates of Lizeth Murillo Osuna and Dr Raul Meza Arredondo filed suit against medical air operator Med Jets, which also conducts business as Jet Rescue. The lawsuit accuses the company of carelessness, negligence, recklessness, and wrongful death.
In a statement, the plaintiffs' lawyers emphasised that the litigation represents "an important step on behalf of the victims of this tragedy to hold those responsible for this deadly crash fully accountable."
Compounding the tragedy, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed that a flight recorder recovered from the wreckage had not been functioning at the time of the crash. The investigation also found that no distress calls were made to air traffic controllers from the doomed flight.
Widespread Impact and Further Legal Action
The crash caused extensive damage throughout the northeast Philadelphia community. Approximately 350 properties were damaged by falling debris and fire, while dozens of people sustained injuries beyond the fatal casualties.
Additional lawsuits are being prepared by other victims. Attorney Andrew Parker Felix is representing a man whose SUV became engulfed in burning jet fuel, leaving him with severe burns that required an 11-day stay in intensive care. At least three other law firms are also representing crash victims.
The medical flight was departing Philadelphia bound for Springfield, Missouri, with a final destination of Tijuana, Mexico. Eleven-year-old Valentina had been returning home after spending five months receiving treatment at Shriners Children's Philadelphia.
