A total of seven people, including NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, Cristina, and two children, died when a private jet crashed in North Carolina on Thursday. The motor sport world is mourning their passing. Now, Biffle’s wife’s mother, Cathy Grossu, shares the last heartbreaking message his daughter sent from the plane before it crashed.

Greg Biffle was one of seven people killed when a small plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in the morning of December 18. It was confirmed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol later the same day.

The plane, a Cessna C550, caught fire as it tried to land at Stateville Regional Airport, located around 45 miles north of Charlotte.

As of now, it’s not clear what caused the crash. Greg Biffle was on board the plane with his wife, Cristina, their two children, 5-year-old son Ryder and 14-year-old daughter Emma. Biffle shared Emma with his ex-wife, Nicole Lunders.

The plane departed from the Statesville airport around 10:06 a.m., per WDTV, and later turned around.

NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, wife, children and friends dead in plane crash
NASCAR later confirmed that other passengers included Dennis Dutton and his son, Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

“Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” NASCAR said in a statement. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.

Besides being a celebrated NASCAR driver who won 19 Cup races, he was known for his humanitarian efforts, including after Hurricane Helen.

Precisely what happened is not known. Speaking to People Magazine, his wife, Cristina, sent a text message to her mother, Cathy Grossu, shortly before the crash.

Greg Biffle’s wife sent text to her mom moments before plane crashed
“She texted me from the plane, and she said, ‘We’re in trouble.’ And that was it,” Cathy told People. “So we’re devastated. We’re brokenhearted.”

The mother added that they were heading to Florida on a “birthday trip.”

“To think that they would be killed on a birthday trip, that was just such a fun time for the family,” she continued. “And to see the horrific way that it ended, it’s just, it is so hard to bear. I cannot believe they’re gone.”

“They embraced every aspect of their life and every moment. And it’s such a loss. They touched so many people’s lives. It is so hard to bear. I cannot believe they’re gone,” Cathy Grossu continued, adding that her last conversation with her daughter was about Christmas.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this horrendous tragedy. Rest in peace.