Menifee Skydive Instructor Killed In Tandem Hard Landing

PERRIS, CA — Devrey LaRiccia, 28, of Menifee made an impact on the skydiving community, and her loss Friday in an air accident left that tight-knit circle — and her loved ones — in mourning.

At about 2:37 p.m. Aug. 2, Riverside County sheriff's deputies were called to the 2000 block of Goetz Road in Perris regarding "an air emergency," according to Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez.

Once at the scene, deputies found two people who were severely injured, the sergeant said.

Various reports indicate LaRiccia was tandem skydiving with a student when the pair hit a "dust devil." The dust-filled vortices are created by strong surface heating and are generally smaller and less intense than a tornado, according to the National Weather Service. They are common in hot, dry areas like Perris and can be damaging.

LaRiccia worked at Skydive Perris as a tandem instructor and videographer, and the company issued a statement detailing what was known about the incident.

"Eyewitnesses report that the tandem pair experienced a normal free fall and parachute deployment. All aspects of the equipment and skydive [were] normal without any reported issues until the landing sequence. While preparing for landing, the tandem pair hit disturbed air known as a 'dust devil'. The interaction with this sudden disturbed air caused turbulence and a hard landing for both individuals," Skydive Perris manager Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld said.

The skydivers were sent to a local hospital. According to the coroner's bureau, LaRiccia was pronounced dead at Wildomar's Inland Valley Hospital less than an hour after the hard landing. An update on the student's medical condition was not available.

There was no evidence of foul play, Brito-Gonzalez said.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified about the accident. According to an emailed statement from the agency, it is investigating the packing of the main and reserve parachutes, and the rules of flight for the pilot and aircraft. If the FAA does not find any evidence of a regulatory violation, it will defer further investigation to local law enforcement. The FAA will not determine the cause of the incident, the agency statement said.

A GoFundMe page in LaRiccia's name raised nearly $60,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. In an updated post, a person who identified as a family member, wrote, "We knew that Devrey was well-loved among the skydiving community, however, what we couldn't foresee was her impact across not only the U.S, but oversea's as well. Since creating this, our phone's have been buzzing non-stop with support and love for our angel, people from all over asking how they can help our family during this time."

In a statement to Fox 11, Brodsky-Chenfeld said LaRiccia was beloved.

"The skydiving community is small and tight-knit, and this tragic loss has profoundly affected the Skydive Perris community," he explained. "Devrey LaRiccia lived fully and inspired all of her colleagues. She was passionate about introducing others to the sport of skydiving. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of both Devrey and the student."

Located at 2091 Goetz Road, Skydive Perris is touted as one of the largest dropzones in the world.