An Airforce lieutenant colonel who grew up in Belton has been killed in a plane accident in Southern California.

Lt. Col. Raymond Roessler, 43, died when his single-engine Piper Cherokee crashed early Friday morning near Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County. A motorist spotted the wreckage and reported the crash about 5:55 a.m., according to published reports.

Roessler took-off from Long Beach, Calif., airport around midnight and was flying to Henderson, Nev., San Bernardino County Sheriff's spokesperson Cindy Beavers said.

He was assigned to the 309th Maintenance Wing at Hill Airforce Basein Utah, and was reportedly on a business trip for the base when the crash occurred.

This story will be updated with reaction from the Belton community.