Greg Biffle, Wife, and Kids Confirmed Dead in Plane Crash

NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, 55, died on the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 18, alongside his wife and two children in a plane crash in North Carolina. A congressman for the state, Richard Hudson, confirmed the tragic news on X. Biffle and his family were among six people who died in the catastrophe.

Greg Biffle, Wife, and 2 Children Dead in Plane Crash

“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote. “They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track."

Hudson added: "The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were."

Family Was Reportedly Traveling to Florida

The Associated Press reported that Biffle was traveling with his wife and two children—daughter Emma, 14, and son Ryder, 5—aboard a Cessna C550. He crashed at Statesville Regional Airport around 10:15 a.m. local time. Biffle’s plane had taken off around 10 a.m. from Statesville. At the time of the crash, it was returning to the airport for unknown reasons. Garrett Mitchell, a friend of Biffle’s family, reported on Facebook that the family was traveling on their private jet from North Carolina to Florida.

"Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” Mitchell wrote. “We are devastated. I'm so sorry to share this."

Biffle Was a Highly Decorated NASCAR Champion

Biffle won numerous championships throughout his career, including the Truck Series in 2000 and the Xfinity Series in 2002. In 2023, he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. He also received the 2024 NMPA Myers Brothers Award for humanitarian aid.