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Mass. native, Harvard Law grad were among those killed in DC plane crash
Harvard Law alumna Kiah Duggins and North Dighton native Chris Collins died in a mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.
A Harvard Law School graduate and a Dighton native were among the 67 people killed when a passenger airplane collided with a US Army helicopter outside Washington, D.C., Wednesday night.
Kiah Duggins, 30, was a 2021 graduate of Harvard Law School and a civil rights attorney. Chris Collins, 42, was a vice president at a New York City investment firm who grew up in North Dighton. Both were passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River around 9 p.m.
Duggins hailed from Wichita, Kansas, where the flight originated from, and planned to join the faculty at Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C., this fall, according to a Boston Globe report.
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Duggins was heading to the Harvard Law School campus to participate in a Systemic Justice Project conference scheduled for this weekend, university officials said.
Harvard Law School released a statement on Duggins death, saying she “was all light” and known for her empathy, optimism, and ability to inspire others.
“My heart is broken for her parents, for all her many, many friends, but also for the world,” said Harvard Legal Aid Bureau Acting Faculty Director Eloise Lawrence. “She had already made a significant impact in her job at Civil Rights Corps, and she was going to take her legal experience and her natural gift as a teacher to Howard University in the fall. I am devastated for all those students who will not get to learn from this remarkable young woman.”
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While attending Wichita State University, from which she graduated in 2017, Duggins was one of 10 finalists for the Miss Kansas contest. She also taught ballet classes.
The Taunton Daily Gazette reported that Collins was a UMass Dartmouth graduate who earned his master’s degree from Brown University before pursuing a finance career in New York City.
Collins’ family released a statement saying they were devastated by the loss.
“Chris was a true adventurer with a passion for the outdoors and a lifelong love of animals. His talent as a financial professional brought him to New York City, where he fell in love with a city girl, his cherished wife Jen,” the statement said.
Collins was also an avid dog lover and enjoyed exploring the Cape Cod coast.
“His frequent walks with the dogs at Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford, CT brought him tremendous joy,” his family said.
“Chris’ kindness and compassion extended to everyone, whether you were a family member, friend, or one of the many strangers he connected with during his outdoor adventures. He will be in our hearts forever.”
Six people from a Boston-area skating club were also among those killed in Wednesday’s plane crash, which is still under investigation.
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