Four lives were lost when a private aircraft crashed in Colorado’s remote mountains, including two successful business leaders and a father traveling with his son and nephew.
The Victims and Their Legacy
Aaron Stokes, 47, founder of multiple automotive repair businesses, including EuroFix, Amerifix, and Shop Fix Academy, died alongside his 21-year-old son Jakson and nephew Colin Stokes, also 21. The fourth victim was Austin Huskey, 37, third-generation CEO of Huskey Building Supply. Both companies were based in Franklin, Tennessee, and had built strong reputations in their respective industries.
Stokes had dedicated his career to helping automotive repair shop owners grow their businesses through his Shop Fix Academy. His company released a statement highlighting how he helped thousands of business leaders achieve meaningful growth. Huskey recently received recognition on LBM Journal’s 40 under 40 list in 2025, representing the latest generation to lead his family’s building supply company.
The Fatal Flight
The Epic E1000 aircraft departed Kansas City Downtown Airport after 10 p.m. on February 12, bound for Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat Springs. The plane crashed in mountainous terrain southeast of the destination airport at approximately 12:20 a.m. on February 13. Flight records show the aircraft had previously traveled from Nashville to Kansas City the evening before the fatal journey.
Investigation and Impact
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the crash. The Routt County Coroner officially identified all four victims. Huskey leaves behind his wife, Kat, and their two children. Jackson’s girlfriend, Kalia Velez, shared her grief on social media, describing him as her best friend and the love of her life. Both companies emphasized the victims’ leadership qualities and positive impact on their communities and industries.
Terrible tragedy…The families of these men need comfort that only GOD is able to provide. However, it does prove that regardless of how wealthy one happens to be, they can still pass on and leave it ALL behind. NOTHING they had in this life goes with them. Only their internal spiritual treasures go with them… It’s only what was spiritual that mattered in the end moments of life… R.I.P… The LORD GOD gives us the breath of life at our birth, and henceforth the LORD GOD also takes it back at our death…
My condolences to the families. It’s sad when people it’s like that that helps so many lose their lives and something that shouldn’t have happened. I hope there’s a follow-up story. So we can find out what caused this tragedy. To possibly help others
Before something like this happens again..