Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins was excused from practice on Thursday, with reporters noting that a small plane crashed near his home outside of Buffalo and left one person aboard the aircraft dead.
Reporter Matt Bove of WKBW in Buffalo reported that Dawkins was not at the team’s practice, though it was not clear if he left early or did not attend at all.
“We just finished watching Bills practice,” Bove shared in a post on X. “Dion Dawkins was excused from today’s practice for a personal reason.”
Bove also linked to a separate report from WKBW that shared details about the crash, reporting that it did not crash near any homes.
“New York State Police say a small, single-engine plane has crashed in a remote area of Aurora,” the report noted. “The crash happened Thursday morning off Route 20a on Stewart Court. The plane went down in a wooded area behind houses.
“According to public records, the property belongs to Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins.”
Police Investigating Plane Crash
There was no indication that Dawkins or anyone in his family was hurt in the crash, which remains under investigation. WKBW reported that the Erie County Sheriff’s Office was working with the East Aurora Police Department on the investigation.
The town of Aurora posted a message on Facebook reporting the crash and asking people to stay away from the area.
The WKBW report added that there were reports of heavy fire and smoke around the area of the crash. There was “possibly only one person on board” the plane, the report added, citing reporter Eileen Buckley.
A report from WIVB in Buffalo noted that the crash took place at close to 11:30 a.m., leaving one person aboard the aircraft dead.
“Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including State Police and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office,” the report noted. “The flight originated in Lansing, Mich. and was heading to White Plains, north of New York City.”
The report shared more details on the crash, saying authorities attributed it to a mechanical issue.
“Police said the plane had mechanical issues and that the pilot had declared an emergency shortly before the crash and was diverting to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The crash is under investigation,” the report noted.
Dion Dawkins’ Girlfriend Witnessed Aftermath of Crash
The crash may have been witnessed by someone close to Dawkins, with Stephen Marth of Spectrum News in Buffalo sharing that his girlfriend shared a video of the aftermath on social media.
“JUST IN: The address where the crash occurred is listed on public records as being owned by @buffalobills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins,” Marth shared in a post on X. “No agencies have confirmed that connection, though Dawkins’ girlfriend Daiyaana Muhammad posted video on Instagram of a plane crash in her yard, but took it down shortly after posting.”
A screenshot of the video showed flames and wreckage near a wooded area. Reporters on the scene shared more images of a heavy police presence, with first responders lining the street.
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Bills Star Excused From Practice as Plane Crashes Near His Home: Report