On Tuesday, January 31, a routine evening turned into a scene of unimaginable horror in a northeast Philadelphia neighborhood when a medevac jet carrying a child patient and her mother crashed, killing seven people and injuring at least 24 others. Among the victims was a father who was inside his car, while his 9-year-old son, Ramesses Dreuitt, suffered severe burns and remains in critical condition. The crash occurred during a medevac transport, showering flames and debris over homes and vehicles, including the truck of Andre Howard Jr., who was with his three children. The family narrowly escaped the tragedy, but their cherished weekly ritual of picking up donuts at Dunkin’ Donuts was replaced by a desperate fight for survival. The crash not only shattered lives but also revealed moments of courage, love, and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Andre Howard Jr. had just picked up his children—a 10-year-old son named Andre, a 7-year-old son, and a 4-year-old daughter—from school and taken them to Dunkin’ Donuts for their usual evening treat. The outing was a simple, joyous moment that had become a weekly tradition for the family. But in an instant, their peaceful evening was shattered by a loud explosion and a fireball that lit up the sky. The family’s truck was struck by debris from the crashed jet, and Andre Jr. quickly put the vehicle in reverse to escape the inferno. “In those couple of seconds, everything was moving in slow motion,” Howard recounted. Amidst the chaos, his 10-year-old son, Andre, showed extraordinary bravery by shielding his younger sister from the flying debris, taking a piece of metal to his head in the process. Howard recalled the harrowing moment when he found his son unconscious, bleeding profusely, and rushed him to the hospital. Despite initial fears that Andre might never walk or see again, the young boy has made remarkable progress, with his vision intact and hopes of regaining the ability to walk. Andre’s first words upon waking were a testament to his selflessness: “Did I save her from the crash?” His father has no doubt that Andre saved his sister’s life, calling him “my superhero.”
The medevac jet was carrying 11-year-old Valentina Guzmán Murillo, who had been receiving treatment for a pressure sore related to her spina bifida condition, and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna. The pair were on their way home to Ensenada, Mexico, after months of treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Valentina’s journey had been a long and difficult one, marked by numerous health challenges and a fragile physical condition. Yet, she had formed deep bonds with the staff and patients at the hospital, who remembered her for her sweet spirit and resilience. Her mother, Lizeth, was her constant companion, never leaving her side. “They lived every moment together and they entered eternity together,” said Susan Marie Fasino, founder of His Wings Ranch, an organization that supported the family. The staff at Shriners had gathered earlier that day to bid Valentina a heartfelt farewell, unaware that the journey home would end in tragedy. Valentina and her mother were killed in the crash, leaving behind a grieving family and a community that remembered them with love and admiration.
Ramesses Dreuitt, a 9-year-old boy, is another victim of the crash who is fighting for his life. His father, Steven Dreuitt, was killed in the explosion when their car caught fire. Ramesses suffered burns over 90% of his body and is currently in a coma at a Boston burn unit. His grandmother, Virgen Viera, first learned of the tragedy when she saw a video of her grandson being pulled from the flames. “In an instant, when I saw him, I said, ‘That’s him,’” she recalled. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to support Ramesses’ medical expenses and has asked for prayers as he undergoes treatment. His mother expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, though she admitted that her prayers feel insufficient in the face of such a devastating loss. Ramesses’ story has touched many, and his family remains focused on his recovery, even as they mourn the loss of his father.
The crash has left the Philadelphia community reeling, with many grappling with the scale of the tragedy. First responders found Steven Dreuitt’s body inside his car, and the medical examiner later confirmed his identity. Ramesses’ survival is a testament to the efforts of the people who rushed to his aid, though the road to recovery will be long and challenging. The stories of Andre Howard Jr.’s family, Valentina and her mother, and Ramesses and his father paint a heartbreaking picture of lives forever altered by the crash. The
