Colfax ‘06 grad survives plane crash at Keller

Justin T. Marchand, 22, Keller area rancher who was injured Tuesday morning, July 6, in a plane crash along Highway 21 three miles north of Keller. Marchand is a member of the 2006 class of Colfax High School where he was known as Justin Miller. According to a report in the Omak Chronicle, the crash took the life of the pilot, Elwyn J. Fletcher, 65, Mesa. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Marchand’s mother and step-father are Barb and Corey Miller of Colfax. He was flown by helicopter to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane where he was listed in serious condition and the Millers have been with him since.

His mother last Friday said Justin was expected to be moved out of the hospital’s intensive care unit that day. He sustained a broken leg, three fractured ribs and a severe chest laceration in the accident.

Fletcher and Marchand were reportedly taking off to make aerial checks of cattle in the Keller area. Justin has been developing his own cattle operation for more than two years. His mother said Fletcher had encouraged Justin to get in the cattle business and helped him develop it.

Fletcher had flown up to the landing strip the previous evening, and they were taking off early Tuesday to check the cattle. The Chronicle report said the Cessna went down in power lines next to the highway near the landing strip. The Cessna was registered to Fletcher Cattle Co. of Mesa.