LODD - Two Pasadena Firefighters Killed In Plane Crash In Mexico

Two Pasadena Firefighters Killed In Plane Crash In Mexico:


Two off-duty Pasadena firefighters were killed in a private plane crash in Mexico, department officials announced Friday.
Kenneth Soltis, 47, from La Verne, and Agua Dulce resident John Kiesow, 49, who was piloting the aircraft, were killed Thursday afternoon, said Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
The plane went down near a small town in Mexico, she said, but could not be more specific about the location or other details of the crash.

She said the firefighters, who were the only people aboard the aircraft, died at the scene.

Soltis, called "Barney" by his peers, worked at the Pasadena Fire Department for more than 20 years. He was known by fellow firefighters for his talented carpentry work, Derderian said.
Soltis is survived by his wife, Shanna, and three daughters, ages 13, 18 and 20, Derderian said.
Kiesow was a 26-year Fire Department veteran and an avid airplane enthusiast, according to Derderian. Kiesow's father, a flight instructor, taught him how to fly, she said, adding that he also enjoyed building and flying model airplanes.Kiesow is survived by his wife, Verlene, a son, Arthur, and two daughters, Charlene and Jennifer, Derderian said.