Roswell church mourns victim of plane crash

But first, loved ones are mourning the loss of a Roswell husband and father killed in a Gwinnett County plane crash last night. Tonight, friends and family are remembering Eric Stevens as someone who could get things done while teaching others. Thanks for joining us. I'm Courtney Bryant. Investigators are still sifting through the crash that claimed the life of Eric Stevens last night. Police blocked off the scene in Lawrenceville as NTSB investigators looked for evidence near Winder Highway and Backus Drive, just a mile from the Gwinnett County Airport. Investigators say the plane crashed in the woods around 5.30 last night. And we just learned the identity of the man who survived the crash. His name is Peter Magnuson. Officials did not have an update on his condition tonight. Well, we are learning more about 57-year-old Eric Stevens. He was a devout member of Roswell United Methodist Church. NewsEdge reporter Rob DiRienzo spent time with people who knew him. And Rob, what did they have to say? Well, Courtney, the lead pastor over at Roswell United Methodist Church describes Eric Stevens as a family man who served God. Gwinnett County first responders pulled him from the scene of that plane wreck last night. He later died at the hospital. Eric always saw the best in people and was always trying to help people experience their best. Heartache at Roswell United Methodist Church. Parishioners who knew 57-year-old Eric Stevens prayed here Wednesday evening after getting word of his death in this plane crash one mile southeast of Gwinnett County Airport. He just had a profound love of Christ, a profound love of the church. Lead pastor Derek Porter says Stevens grew up the son of a pastor who devoted his life to spreading the word. That's why he wanted to speak to us in front of this stained glass image of Jesus as a young boy. Eric, growing up in the church, was also, since he was a little kid, was always someone who was teaching, always someone who was sharing faith. Stevens leaves behind two daughters and a wife, Cammie. Over 30 years, he and his wife, Cammie, both, just a deep, integral part of this church. Porter says for decades, Stevens served the church as a mentor in the men's ministry and sang in their choir. He also started a technology company called Z-Paper, based in Roswell. He had this unbelievable, uncanny bandwidth of ways to get things done and to focus and to build. Flight records show the Velocity 173 FG he was on was airborne for about 90 minutes before going down Tuesday evening. The pilot reported engine trouble and attempted an emergency landing. Are you declaring an emergency? I'm coming in. The NTSB is now leading the investigation into the cause of the crash as this congregation clings to their faith. When Kami and I talk this afternoon about what we want to say about Eric is we hope people will know that even though we are heartbroken that Eric's not with us, we know where he is and we know that he's with the Lord right now. And tonight, investigators have identified the sole survivor of the crash as Peter Magnuson. We still don't know which man, man rather, was piloting the aircraft. Also unclear is Magnuson's condition tonight. Courtney. Well, it's very clear he'll be missed. And the people who knew him seem to paint a picture of a really good person. Yeah. Someone that they'll remember. A man who left his mark on that community. Absolutely. All right. Rob, thanks.