Truckee, California – A tragic incident unfolded in Truckee, California, where a single-engine airplane crashed in the midst of a snowstorm, claiming the lives of two individuals. The victims have been identified by US authorities as Liron Petrushka and his wife, Naomi, a couple with roots in the high-tech industry based in Israel. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, as authorities work to uncover the circumstances that led to this devastating event.
The Socata TBM9 aircraft went down near a railway station while it was on its way to the Truckee Tahoe Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have initiated a thorough investigation into the crash to determine what factors may have contributed to the tragedy.
Local law enforcement, including the Truckee Police Department, responded to the scene of the crash near Glenshire Drive and Olympic Blvd. Residents in the area were advised of a significant presence of emergency responders in the vicinity, as authorities worked to secure the site and gather information about the incident.
Liron Petrushka, 57, and his wife Naomi, 58, were well-known figures in the Israeli tech industry who had made California their home in recent years. The couple leaves behind three children, as reported by NY POST. Their entrepreneurial journey included successful ventures such as the sale of their company CommerceBid in 1999, a move that brought them financial success and allowed them to continue supporting the acquiring company.
In addition to their business endeavors, the Petrushkas were also involved in investment activities, including backing the VC firm UpWest, which focuses on supporting Israeli-led companies in both Israel and the United States. Liron’s professional background started in a different field as an Israeli soccer player for Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim before transitioning into a career as an investor and entrepreneur.
Tributes and condolences poured in from various sectors, including Silicon Valley firm UpWest and Liron’s former soccer club, Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim. The sudden loss of the Petrushka couple has left a profound impact on those who knew them, as their contributions to the tech industry and beyond are remembered and honored in the wake of this tragic event.