ATLANTA, GA — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp posted on his X account on Thursday afternoon, identifying two of the victims involved in the fatal plane crash Wednesday night at Reagan National Airport in D.C.
Ryan O’Hara was the crew chief on the helicopter. He graduated from Parkview High School in 2014 and was a member of the JROTC program. He was known as the guy who would “fix things” around the ROTC gym and was a member of the rifle team.
He leaves behind a wife and one year old son.
Additionally, the co-pilot on the American Airlines flight was from Georgia. 28-year-old Sam Lilley grew up in Richmond Hill on the Georgia coast and graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2018.
We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley as they navigate this difficult time.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 30, 2025
Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their…
House Speaker Jon Burns also spoke of Sam Lilley on his X account.
Dayle and I are continuing to lift up Sam Lilley’s family, friends, fiancé, and the entire Georgia Southern community in prayer during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/4KDge6oAo9
— JonBurnsGA (@JonBurnsGA) January 30, 2025
Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero shared a statement on Thursday that read:
“The Georgia Southern community is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our outstanding alumni, Sam Lilley, who embodied the Eagle spirit and soared beyond in his career. We will continue to keep Sam’s family and friends in our thoughts as they grieve this tragedy.”