A joint statement released Tuesday from the Mahoning County and Trumbull County commissioners expressed their sympathies over a plane crash in Howland that claimed the lives of six community members.

Joseph Maxin, Timothy Blake, Veronica Weller, James (Jim) Weller, John Weller and Maria Weller died Sunday morning after the twin-engine Cessna crashed into a wooded area off King Graves Road, not far from where it took off from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna. It was headed to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana, according to the flight manifest.

The commissioners extended their deepest sympathies to the Maxin, Weller and Blake families.

“This tragedy has shaken our region to its core,” the statement read. “We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of Joseph Maxin, Timothy Blake, Veronica Weller, 68, James Weller, 67, John Weller, 36, and Maria Weller, 34, who are enduring unimaginable sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and all those affected during this profoundly difficult time.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, which left no survivors and destroyed the aircraft. No ground injuries were reported despite the crash’s proximity to residential homes.

During their Tuesday workshop, Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy talked about the critical role of the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office in the aftermath of the crash.

“The coroner’s office is working tirelessly to provide answers to the families and our community,” Malloy said. “Their professionalism and dedication during this heartbreaking time are invaluable, and we are grateful for their efforts to bring clarity to this tragedy.”

Commissioner and former Hubbard Township Trustee Rick Hernandez spoke emotionally about the tragedy, reflecting on the victims’ deep ties to the Hubbard community.

“I knew the Weller family and Joe Maxin personally,” Hernandez said. “Their contributions to our township and the entire Mahoning Valley were immeasurable. This loss is personal for so many of us, and it’s hard to fathom the void they leave behind.”

The commissioners’ statement mourned the loss of Joseph Maxin, 63, of Canfield, a veteran pilot and lead flight instructor at Youngstown State University’s flight school, as well as the director of compliance for the Western Reserve Port Authority. Maxin, a former assistant prosecutor in the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, was remembered as a dedicated public servant and a beloved colleague. “Joe was a trusted friend and a cornerstone of our community,” Malloy said. “His contributions to the Mahoning Valley, from his legal work to his passion for aviation, will leave a lasting legacy.”

James Weller, president and CEO of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., was involved in the local steel industry, overseeing facilities in Lordstown and Warren that provide advanced stamping and blanking services.

The family’s ownership of Sharon Speedway in Hartford further cemented their influence, with James Weller Jr. earning acclaim as a two-time track champion and 36-time winner in the Big Block Modified division.

“The Wellers were more than business leaders; they were pillars of our community, known for their generosity and commitment to the Mahoning Valley’s growth,” the commissioners said.

Timothy Blake, 55, also of Hubbard, served as co-pilot on the flight. Described as a skilled aviator, Blake’s loss was deeply felt by the region’s aviation community, which continues to reel from the tragedy.

Mahoning and Trumbull counties are working alongside the Western Reserve Port Authority and other agencies to provide resources and support.

Counseling services are being offered through Compass Family & Community Services and the Mental Health and Recovery Boards of both counties for employees of the prosecutor’s office, the Port Authority, and first responders, including Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency Director John Hickey and his staff.

“We are committed to ensuring that those affected, including our brave first responders, have access to the mental health resources they need to begin healing,” the commissioners said.

Malloy praised the efforts of emergency personnel, including Howland police and fire, the Trumbull County HazMat team, Youngstown Air Reserve Station fire crews, and the Trumbull County EMA’s drone unit, which conducted aerial surveys to map the crash site and monitor for environmental hazards like fuel runoff.

Howland fire Chief Raymond Pace called the incident the deadliest crash in the history of Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

“That no homes were hit is a small mercy in this tragedy,” Pace said.

The NTSB is collecting flight data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, and details of Maxin’s extensive piloting experience, with the wreckage to be analyzed at a secure facility. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though a final report may take up to two years.

The commissioners concluded their statement with a pledge to stand with the community. “Mahoning and Trumbull Counties remain united in supporting our regional partners and all those grieving,” they said. “We will continue to honor the legacies of Joseph Maxin, Timothy Blake, Veronica Weller, James Weller, John Weller and Maria Weller by fostering the compassion and resilience they embodied.”

The NTSB is seeking witness statements and surveillance footage at witness@ntsb.gov.