Michelle Peterson won election to the Shelby County Board of Education District 1 on Tuesday night, securing the seat just hours after she and her husband died in a plane crash in Missouri.
Fatal Crash at Lake of the Ozarks
The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. at the Lake of the Ozarks. The aircraft went down shortly after departing from Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The victims were identified as John Peterson, 52, and Michelle Peterson, 51. Both were residents of Simpsonville, Kentucky.
Michelle Peterson Wins Local School Board Race
In the local school board race, Michelle Peterson defeated opponent Andrew Cline. Her husband, John Peterson, worked as a pilot for UPS based out of Louisville.
Kentucky State Sen. Aaron Reed released a statement highlighting their community involvement.
“John served as a UPS pilot based out of Louisville, while Michelle was actively engaged in shaping the future of her community, winning her school board race yesterday,” Reed said. “Both were leaders in their own right, devoted parents and valued members of our community.”
United Parcel Service also issued a statement regarding John Peterson’s career with the company. “We are heartbroken by this tragic loss,” UPS stated. “Our deepest sympathies are with their family, loved ones and all those who knew them.”
Active Federal Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet established a definitive cause for the crash.
The Miller County Coroner’s Office reported that no suspicious circumstances have been found so far, though the investigation remains active. Federal oversight of the ongoing inquiry is being handled by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
