Darren Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law, 2 grandkids killed in tragic helicopter crash

WTVO Rockford via Yahoo ^ | 10/23/25 | Reanne Weil

[DallasBiff]

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey (R) lost his son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids in a helicopter crash late Wednesday night, according to his campaign.

According to a social media post by the Bailey Campaign on Facebook, the crash happened in Carter County Montana, which is the southeast corner of the state, bordering South Dakota and Wyoming.

[DallasBiff]

Prayers for the family of Darren Bailey.

[Red Badger]

Aviation Ping.............😥

[left that other site]

This is heartbreaking.

Joining you in pryer for the family.

[bantam]

OMG! Devastating!

[pa_dweller]

Horror.

[Veto!]

Heart-wrenching. How can Darren and the rest of the family recover from that?

Praying for them.

,

[Carry_Okie]

How can Darren and the rest of the family recover from that?

Grieve and get on with life. It's all one can do.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Sad.

Helicopters I dunno.

[lgjhn23]

Our church lost a prominent young man, his wife and 2-year old daughter the exact same way about a year ago.
Tragic is an understatement.

[left that other site]

Yes. It is. A horrible tragedy.

I can’t even imagine.

[Deaf Smith]

So the pilot of the helicopter survived the crash?

Is this another case of get-thereitist?

[CaptainK]

The worst tragedy imaginable. Prayers for the family.

[Deaf Smith]

Okay, another posted FR link states that Zachery was piloting.

[Bonemaker]

Wonderful man. Unfortunately Illinois (Chicago) chose the despicable, repulsive, unbearable Pritzker last time around. I have zero faith this time will be any different. As a father who just lost his oldest son last August, I know how profoundly it hurts and express my deepest condolences to the Bailey family. Godspeed.

[desertsolitaire]

I wonder where he became a pilot? If it was military background or civilian aviation school? Didn’t it used to be that most commercial pilots were previously military pilots first?

[Avalon Memories]

So the pilot of the helicopter survived the crash?

The pilot was Darren Bailey's son. He died in the crash along with his wife and two of their children.

[montag813]

Pritzker mob hit?

[Red6]

I do not like flying on helicopters.

Even if I had the money, no thank you.

1.) unstable
2.) receding blade stall
3.) vibration
4.) airframe under constant torque from tail
5.) everything spinning in circles and power needs diverted 90 degrees to rotar system.
6.) no glide ratio to speak of and often operating low (altitude = time and options).

I see the need for a helicopter. The capabilities are simply needed.

But, no doubt you are sacrificing safety for that capability.

[Deaf Smith]

Found out that on another FR thread.

[drypowder]

Prayers up🙏🏻 Could this have been a mafia warning? Probably, we all know how the mob loves democrats.