Current:Home > Markets'Her last jump of the day': Skydiving teacher dies after hitting dust devil, student injured -NextFrontier Finance
'Her last jump of the day': Skydiving teacher dies after hitting dust devil, student injured
View
Date:2025-04-18 18:00:15
A skydiving instructor caught in a short-lived whirlwind was killed Friday after crashing into a Southern California field.
A student on a tandem skydive with the instructor was hospitalized with major injuries after the reported accident in Perris, a city in Riverside County, officials confirmed.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office, who responded to the scene, identified the skydiving instructor who died as Devrey LaRiccia, 28, of Menifee.
According to sheriff's officials, about 2:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Skydive Perris, one of "the largest, most state-of-the-art, and highly-respected dropzones in the world," according to the business' website.
The business is located in an area known for skydiving about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 80 miles north of San Diego.
'Meet me at the gate':Watch as widow scatters husband's ashes, BASE jumps into canyon
Two skydiving victims taken to hospital
At the scene, deputies located two people suffering from major injuries in an open field, according to a sheriff's office release.
Both victims were taken to a hospital where, according to a coroner's report, LaRiccia died.
The skydiving student was not identified by officials and her condition was not immediately known Wednesday.
USA TODAY has reached out to the sheriff's office and Skydive Perris.
Sheriff's officials said foul play is not suspected in the case, and notified the Federal Aviation Administration who they reported is handling the investigation.
USA TODAY has reached out to the FAA.
A father's grief:New York dad learns his 2 teenage daughters died after tracking phones to crash site
'Her last jump of the day'
According to her partner of five years, Freddie Chase, LaRiccia worked for Skydive Perris, and went to work "happy as ever" the day she died.
Chase, who lives in Perris and met LaRiccia skydiving, told USA TODAY LaRiccia and her student were on a tandem skydive on her last jump of the day when they collided with a “dust devil” causing them to crash to the ground.
"There was no malfunction, there was no plane incident, she was turning her canopy on final to come land safely on the grass, like she has done hundreds of times," said Chase, 32. "She noticed what we call in the industry 'dust devils' small little tornados that are dangerous in the sport."
What are dust devils?
Dust devils are "a common wind phenomenon" that occur worldwide, according to the National Weather Service.
The rapid rotating wind is filled with dust created by strong surface heating, and are generally smaller and less intense than a tornado, NWS said. They have an average height of about 500 to 1000 feet and usually last only a few minutes before dissipating.
'An uncontrolled spin to the ground'
At about 40 feet, Chase said, she managed to avoid one dust devil, "but caught a second one."
"With dust devils going over grass they become invisible because you can't see any dust in the direction they're going," Chase said. "It sent her canopy in an uncontrolled spin to the ground."
Chase said his partner was “unconscious but breathing” after the fall before she was taken to the hospital.
"She passed when I arrived at the hospital," Chase said.
'You were too perfect for this world'
In tribute to her on Instagram, Chase wrote “Devrey Jane Lariccia... my ride or die, my everything... You were too perfect for this world.”
"Having to say goodbye to you for now will forever be the hardest thing I will ever do in my life.”
A fundraiser created by family to help with LaRiccia's funeral expenses had raised nearly $60,000 as of Wednesday.
"Our family has been overwhelmed with words of love and support from those who knew Devrey and those who just met her in passing," Marcelline LaRiccia of Maine, who created the fundraiser, wrote on the page. "We are doing as best as we can as each moment passes. Blue skies and fly high."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (137)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Man convicted in killings of 8 from another Ohio family seeks new trial
- New Hampshire attorney general says fatal killing of Manchester man by police was legally justified
- Matt Bomer Says He Lost Superman Movie Role Because of His Sexuality
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- 'A better version of me': What Dan Quinn says he will change in second stint as NFL head coach
- Inflation surprise: Prices unchanged in May, defying expectations, CPI report shows
- Orson Merrick continues to be optimistic about the investment opportunities in the US stock software sector in 2024 and recommends investors actively seize the opportunity for corrections.
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Wildfire burning near Twin Lakes, Colorado forces evacuations: See the map
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Remember the northern lights last month? See how that solar storm impacted Mars’ surface
- Political leaders condemn protest at Nova exhibit in NYC as repulsive and vile
- Young bear spotted relaxing on a hammock in a Vermont yard
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Tomorrow X Together on third US tour, Madison Square Garden shows: 'Where I live my dream'
- Iowa defends immigration law that allows local officials to arrest people told to leave US
- A 98-year-old man’s liver was donated. He is believed to be the oldest American organ donor ever
Recommendation
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
These Gap Styles Look Much More Expensive Than They Are and They're All Discounted Right Now
Snapchat gotcha: Feds are sending people to prison after snaps show gangs, guns, ammo
Steve Bannon seeks to stay out of prison while he appeals contempt of Congress conviction
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Travis Kelce Teases His Next Career Move After He Retires From the NFL
9/11 first responders with severe debris exposure have higher risk of dementia, study finds
Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum quieting the doubters as they push Celtics to brink of NBA title