Deseret News, Ravell Call/Associated PressLAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Four Las Vegas pilots lost their lives in Tuesday's small plane crash in Utah's Zion National Park. One of those lost was Chris Spircu.
Friend Michael Hozo described Spircu as "the greatest."
"It's very devastating for me and it's very hard but you can never expect to have someone more kind… better friend and better father," said Hozo.
According to FAA officials, the single-engine Cirrus SR20 was heading to Bryce Canyon.
Kane County, UT authorities discovered the wreckage early Wednesday morning in a remote, mountainous area. The victims have been identified as Joshua Stubblefied, 31; Paul Andrews, 32; Todd Stuntzner, 45; and Spircu, 44.
Those who knew Spircu described him as an ambitious person.
"He came very young from Romania," said Hozo. "He worked as a cab driver, a limo driver. He went into the casino business but his dream always was to fly and be somewhere in the plane."
Spircu leaves behind two children and a wife, Vanda. The couple recently celebrated 25 years together.
"It's very hard to believe, it's unbelievable," Hozo said. "I'm still thinking he's going to open the door and come in behind me. You don't just disappear."
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