Roswell business founder killed in Lawrenceville plane crash

LAWRENCEVILLE — Eric Stephens, who founded the Roswell software company zPaper and led it for about 20 years, died Monday when a small plane went down in a wooded area near homes on Old Athens Road in Lawrenceville. He was 46.

What happened: Gwinnett County Air Traffic Control reported a single-engine plane with engine trouble had gone down in the trees at about 5:30 p.m. Monday. Firefighters arrived nine minutes later and found both men aboard trapped inside the wreckage. Stephens, found on the right side of the aircraft, was dead at the scene. The second man survived with injuries that were not life-threatening and was taken to a nearby hospital.

The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death. Anyone with questions about the crash should contact the NTSB. Gwinnett County police are securing the wreckage until the investigation is complete.

Who he was: Stephens founded zPaper, a Roswell-based business, and built it over two decades. He was also a longtime member of Roswell United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Cammie, and daughters Catherine and Mary.

From his company: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder, Eric Stephens, Ph.D. Eric built zPaper over 20 years and was a mentor and friend to everyone here. Our thoughts are with his family, and we ask that their privacy be respected,” zPaper said.

From his church: “Roswell United Methodist Church deeply grieves the death of Eric Stephens, a longtime church member and friend. We ask that you join us in keeping his wife, Cammie, daughters Catherine and Mary, and their family in your prayers,” the church said. The church also placed a prayer quilt in its Sanctuary to be given to the Stephens family following Sunday worship.