Tow truck driver killed in Clinton County crash
LOGANTON, Pa. - A Clinton County tow truck operator was struck and killed on westbound Interstate 80 as he tried to assist a motorist, state police said. Donald Eugene Snook, 47, an employee of Bressler's Garage, was killed instantly in the 6:45 a.m. Friday accident, according to John Hanna, the county's chief deputy coroner.
Two U.S. contractors killed in Iraq
BAGHDAD -- Two U.S. contractors have died in an ambush south of the Iraqi capital. A third was injured. The contractors worked for Blackwater Security Consulting. The company’s Web site says it helps provide diplomatic security for State Department officials in Iraq. Yesterday’s attack involved a homemade bomb that exploded next to the workers’ vehicle. Last year, four Blackwater employees were killed in Fallujah and two of the corpses were hung from a bridge. The Brookings Institution says at least 232 American civilian security and reconstruction contractors were killed in Iraq up to the end of 2004.
Worker killed in construction accident
Westchester,NY- A 36-year-old construction worker was killed at a New Rochelle work site yesterday when an 800-pound metal plate from a retaining wall came loose and struck him in the head. The Westchester Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Prenga Sander of 106 Sterling Ave. in Yonkers, though police said he lived in Bridgeport, Conn.
Grocer Is Killed in Jersey City During an Attempted Robbery
JERSEY CITY- Fausto V. Garcia was known in his neighborhood as the kind of businessman who would sell financially struggling customers items on credit and who could be seen smiling as he swept the sidewalk in front of his bodega. Before dawn on Monday morning, just after Mr. Garcia opened the store, the Union Superette Grocery, on Communipaw Avenue, three armed and masked men confronted him in what law enforcement authorities called an attempted robbery. When it was over, Mr. Garcia, 54, had been shot and killed, along with one of the masked gunmen. One of Mr. Garcia's employees was injured in the confrontation, the Hudson County prosecutor, Edward J. De Fazio, said.
Construction worker killed at Torrance condominium site
Torrance, CA- Tractor crushes man against a wall while he unloads tools and equipment at site of new development on Torrance Boulevard near Madrona Avenue. A construction worker died today at a Torrance work site when his tractor ran into him and pinned him against a wall. The unidentified man died at Little Company of Mary Hospital shortly after the 7:30 a.m. accident a condominium construction site in the 3500 block of Torrance Boulevard, Torrance fire Battalion Chief Bill Samp said.
Two Transportation Department workers killed in head-on crash
Boise, ID-Idaho State Police says two Idaho Transportation Department workers died after being hit head-on by cement truck on U.S. 95 about 20 miles south of Grangeville near Slate Creek just after 9 a.m. today. Police say James Onthank, 43, of Grangeville and his co-worker, Toby Joe Stevens, 43, of Grangeville were northbound in an ITD dump truck on U.S. 95 when a southbound Grangeville Transit Mix cement truck driven by Walter H. Merrill, 49, of Cottonwood blew a tire and crossed into the path of the dump truck, hitting it head-on. The tumbler of the cement truck broke loose in the crash and crushed the cab of the ITD vehicle, killing Stevens and Onthank. Merrill was transported in serious condition to Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville.
Plainfield school worker dies from serious burns
NJ- An electrician severely burned in a fire at Plainfield High School last week has died. Ollie Johnson, 69, died at 1:20 a.m. Saturday, officials said yesterday. He had worked for the district for 18 years. "We're deeply saddened," district Superintendent Paula Howard said yesterday. Johnson had a "spiritual and graceful way of being" that added to the district, she said. "It's a sad day in Plainfield," said Jiles Ship, the city's safety director. Johnson was working in an electrical room at the high school March 5 when some equipment became energized and caused an explosion just after 9 a.m. Johnson spent a week in a drug-induced coma at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body. He was removed from a respirator several days ago.
Woman dies in accident at Arvin Sango
Madison, IN- An Arvin Sango employee died Monday night when she was crushed by one of the company’s presses. Thelma Sue Bailey, 57, of 507 S.R. 156, Florence, was pronounced dead at 10:47 p.m. at Arvin Sango after she was caught in a press, Jefferson County Coroner Alice Jackson said. “I’m not sure how it happened,” Jackson said.
Area farmer killed in tractor roll-over
Centerville, IA- The Appanoose County Sheriff' Office responded to a report of a man trapped under a farm tractor at approximately 10:07 p.m. Sunday in the 30500 block of 230th Avenue. Paul A. Baugher, 84, of rural Cincinnati, was found under a farm tractor in a farm field and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Appanoose County Medical Examiner. Preliminary details of the incident revealed that Baugher had left his residence between 5 and 6 p.m. to feed cattle and work in nearby farm fields. When Baugher did not return to the residence, family members began checking the farm fields for Baugher. Baugher was found trapped under the farm tractor by a
family member.
Riviera Beach worker killed during robbery
CA- A moving company employee was killed in front of his girlfriend during an attempted robbery this morning near Riviera Beach, authorities said. George Smith, 53, and his girlfriend were opening up the front office at All My Sons Moving and Storage, 7656 Byron Drive, about 6:30 a.m. when two masked men with guns stormed in. The robbers demanded money and ransacked the front office. During the confrontation, Smith was attacked and killed. The attackers fled from the scene and were still at large this morning. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office did not immediately say what the cause of death was, but it did not appear that Smith had been shot.
Police need help finding driver who hit and killed Chronicle employee
Houston, TX- Surveillance video has been released in hopes of catching up with a hit and run driver who killed a Chronicle employee over the weekend. Alysia Benson was hit by a white Chevy or GMC truck while taking a walk in northwest Harris County Saturday night. Investigators say the man captured in surveillance video is a person of interest in the case with whom they want to speak. The video was taken from a nearby Burger King restaurant. Witnesses say the man walked in and talked about an accident that night. Benson was a staff employee at the Houston Chronicle.
Man killed in trench collapse
MELVIN, IL -- A rural Melvin man died Tuesday morning when a trench in which he was working collapsed on him. William W. Glenn, 66, of 1170 North 1400 East Road, was pronounced dead at Gibson Area Hospital in Gibson City shortly after the 11:25 a.m. accident.
Crash cause not yet known
Riverside, CA- Did the firetruck driver turn into a tour bus, and was he wearing a seatbelt? The driver of an Upland fire engine that collided with a tour bus on Interstate 10 Tuesday morning apparently was ejected from the engine's cab, and "the obvious conclusion" would be that he wasn't wearing a seat belt, an investigator said Tuesday. The bus company's attorney accused the driver, fire Engineer Tom Barilla, of cutting in front of the bus, though the California Highway Patrol has not determined the cause of the wreck that killed one person and injured dozens more.
Man who caught fire at Wegmans loading dock dies
Rochester, NY- The man burned in a truck fire at a Wegmans store Wednesday morning has died. The Monroe County Sheriff’s department says 76-year-old Carl Minnick of Greece died Wednesday night at Strong Memorial Hospital. Wednesday morning minnick was sitting in the passenger seat of a Toyota truck at the East Henrietta Road Wegmans loading dock when somehow the truck caught fire. A Wegmans employee and customer used blankets to extinguish the fire. They were both treated for burns at Strong Hospital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Flags at half-staff in honor of fallen officer
SEATTLE - Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has directed that all U.S. flags be flown at half-mast throughout the city Thursday in honor of a Seattle Harbor Patrol officer who died Wednesday after falling into the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The officer, 39-year-old Jackson V. Lone, was under water near 3rd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 36th Street for from five to 10 minutes. Lone and his partner in a Harbor Patrol boat were securing a tug boat that drifted loose in Wednesday's winds, according to Police spokesman Scott Moss.
2nd AJC worker dies from car crash
GA- A longtime Atlanta Journal-Constitution employee died Wednesday from injuries sustained in a February car crash that also claimed the life of an Atlanta man. Charlcy Marsh, 46, a 25-year company veteran, worked in the mailroom at the newspaper's Gwinnett County Printing Plant. She handled preprinted items that are inserted into the papers. She died Wednesday at Gwinnett Medical Center.
Officer slain in shootout, Suspect in carjacking also killed in exchange of gunfire
Jackson, MS- A nine-year Jackson police officer was killed Thursday following a gun battle on a city street with a carjacking suspect who also died. Thomas Catchings, a 41-year-old motorcycle patrol officer, died while in surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.He'd lost a large amount of blood from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, Dr. Robert Schwieg said.
Man on tractor killed by branch, It broke through windshield and crushed worker in Marlborough.
PA- A Bedminster Township man was killed earlier this week in Marlborough Township when he was crushed by a branch while using a tractor to clear bushes and trees. Thomas Hardy, 41,, was killed Monday afternoon while working near a wooded area along Price Road.
Construction man crushed in Hillsdale
HILLSDALE - A construction worker was crushed Thursday morning when his boss inadvertently ran him over with a 14-ton excavator, authorities said. Jose Peralta, 32, of Garnerville, N.Y., was standing in front of the large machine when he threw a cellular telephone to operator Michael Dutra, owner of Dutra Excavation of Montvale, said Detective Sgt. Michael Niego.
Local Auto Dealer Dead From Gunshot Wounds
Detroit, MI- A man who worked hard to build his business and support his growing family died this weekend after a fight for his life. Auto dealer Waad Murad was shot in the head Thursday night. Police in Detroit were still searching for the escaped gunmen thought to have shot Murad.
SAN FRANCISCO Mediator killed in Bayview, Victim had worked to end gun violence
San Francisco, CA- A graduate of a San Francisco city-sponsored conflict resolution program was shot and killed in the Bayview district, hours after mediating a clash between a relative and the suspected gunman, police said Thursday. Armond Hervey, 25, was shot outside a market at Third Street and Hollister Avenue at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday. On Thursday, after receiving a tip, police detained an unidentified parolee as part of the investigation.
Boeing employee shot to death in carjacking near Sea-Tac Airport
SEATAC, Wash. -- A longtime Boeing worker was shot to death Friday morning in a carjacking at an intersection near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, investigators said. Witnesses said they saw the victim's body pushed from the black Ford Mustang he had been driving, then the carjacker sped off in the car. Authorities identified the man killed as 62-year-old Ron Whitehead of SeaTac.
Arrest made in fatal stabbing of sub shop owner, Suspect is a former employee of Owings Mills eatery
Baltimore, MD- Baltimore County police said they have a suspect in custody in this morning's fatal stabbing of a sub shop owner at a shopping center in Owings Mills. Police said that just before 10 a.m., a former employee of the Greek Village Pizza and Subs on Reisterstown Road entered the shop. Authorities said the man began talking with the shop owner, Amir Shahmaee, 58, of Towson. Then, the former employee allegedly began stabbing Shahmaee. It was unclear what prompted the stabbing.
Shocked neighbors hold vigil for store owner and employee, Candles light the scene as scores of Highland friends and family members gather at the store at Palm Avenue and Ninth Street
HIGHLAND, CA- They came 200-plus strong to lay flowers and light candles Thursday night in front of the large metal doors of Cee Vee's Liquor and Couch Potato Video. "I can't move," said David Olton, 47, of Highland. "I've been here since 5 p.m. I've been trying to leave but I couldn't move." Olton stood in front of the flowers and candles left in support of the recovery of owner Steven Hall, 53, and in memory of store employee Brian David Gregorio, 25, both of Highland. On Wednesday night, the men were shot in a robbery by two men. Hall later died in Loma Linda University Medical Center.
2 workers die as crane collapses
IRVING, TX - Two construction workers were killed Saturday morning when the arm of a crane buckled and collapsed, sending three steel beams crashing to the ground. The beams fell a few feet from Mandalay Canal, leaving little room for escape. A third person was injured in the 300 block of East Las Colinas Boulevard, the Irving Fire Department said. That's person's name was not released. Juan Roldan, 26, of Mesquite and his cousin Angel Roldan, 33, of Dallas were killed in the accident. Victor Osmani, who owns an Italian restaurant across from the construction site, saw the boom of the crane fall as he arrived at the restaurant about 9:30 a.m.
Work site cave-in kills two brothers
SC- Two brothers died Tuesday in a torrent of dirt that poured into a trench where they were working at the Blythewood High School construction site. Rigobeto Xaca Sandoval, 22, and Moises Xaca Sandoval, 22, both of 1515 Busbee Road, Gaston, probably died instantly, their skulls crushed by the soil that buried them, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.
Suffolk police officer dies during foot pursuit
SUFFOLK, VA — A Suffolk police officer collapsed and later died Friday while chasing after a suspect who is accused of breaking curfew. According to police, 33-year-old Officer William Henley approached a group of suspects near Webb Street Friday night. Brian Ralph ran, and Henley followed. Mid-chase, he collapsed and died from a previously undiagnosed medical condition.
Police Officer Shot, Killed During Routine Traffic Stop
Louisville, KY - A Louisville police officer was fatally shot Wednesday after responding to complaints about an unruly driver. A teenage suspect in the shooting then killed himself, police said. Officer Peter Grignon, 27, died of two bullet wounds to the head and neck about 2½ hours after the 7 a.m. shooting. The two-year veteran of the force was the first Louisville or Jefferson County police officer to die in the line of duty since 1988. He had celebrated his first wedding anniversary just days earlier.
Trench Collapse Kills Man
Buffalo,NY- Hamburg Police and OSHA officials are investigating an accident that trapped and killed a worker repairing a sewer line. Police say Charles M. Lee, Jr., 34, of Lackawanna had died before rescue crews even arrived. It took firefighters over five hours to remove Lee's body from the trench.
N.J. Motel Owner Killed
Philadelphia, PA - A Burlington County motel owner was shot to death Tuesday and the gunman remained at large Tuesday night. A landscaper found Ranjit "Randy" Patel, 57, of Voorhees, on the floor near the registration desk of the Rodeway Inn Motor Lodge about 2:30 p.m. Bleeding from a head wound, Patel was pronounced dead when EMTs arrived.
Worker crushed by stacks of granite while on the job
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. A Tennessee man was crushed to death yesterday in Mississippi by slabs of granite weighing several hundred tons. DeSoto County Coroner Jeff Pounders says 22-year-old Darrell Swank, of Collierville, Tennessee, was an employee of Global Granite in Southaven. Pounders says Swank died when two stacks of granite fell on him as he tried to move them with an overhead lift. Swank was alone in the back of the warehouse when the accident occurred. A fellow employee had left just before the accident after injuring his finger.
Victims of the explosion and fire at the BP Amoco Texas City oil refinery, which killed 15 people and injured over 100:
• Kimberly Smith, 43, Dayton, JE Merit • Larry Linsenbardt, 58, Mount Belvieu, employer unknown • Ryan Rodriguez, 28, Baytown, JE Merit • Morris King, 52, Baytown, JE Merit • Larry Thomas, 63, Huffman, JE Merit • Daniel Hogan, 58, Glenmora, La., Fluor-Daniel • Eugene White, 53, no hometown, JE Merit • Rafael Herrera, 27, Baytown, Fluor-Daniel • Glenn Bolton, 50, College Station, JE Merit • Jimmy Hunnings, 58, Baytown, Fluor-Daniel • Susan Taylor, 33, Baytown, JE Merit • Linda Rowe, 47, Hornbeck, La., JE Merit • James Rowe, 48, Hornbeck, La., JE Merit • Lorena Cruz, 32, La Porte, JE Merit • Arthur Ramos, 59, Houston, JE Merit. All those killed have been identified.
Victims of the explosion and fire at the Texas City oil refinery, which killed 15 people and injured over 100:
Dead
• Kimberly Smith, 43, Dayton, JE Merit • Larry Linsenbardt, 58, Mount Belvieu, employer unknown • Ryan Rodriguez, 28, Baytown, JE Merit • Morris King, 52, Baytown, JE Merit • Larry Thomas, 63, Huffman, JE Merit • Daniel Hogan, 58, Glenmora, La., Fluor-Daniel • Eugene White, 53, no hometown, JE Merit • Rafael Herrera, 27, Baytown, Fluor-Daniel • Glenn Bolton, 50, College Station, JE Merit • Jimmy Hunnings, 58, Baytown, Fluor-Daniel • Susan Taylor, 33, Baytown, JE Merit • Linda Rowe, 47, Hornbeck, La., JE Merit • James Rowe, 48, Hornbeck, La., JE Merit • Lorena Cruz, 32, La Porte, JE Merit • Arthur Ramos, 59, Houston, JE MeritAll those killed have been identified.
Injured
• University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 23 treated, including most of the gravely injured arriving by Life Flight helicopter and ambulance. Seven in critical condition. Six in good condition. The rest have been released.• Mainland Medical Center in Texas City, 60 treated, mostly plant workers. 53 treated and released, six admitted, one critically injured patient flown by Life Flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital.• Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, 23 treated, a mix of plant workers and nearby residents arriving by ambulance, car and even bus. Only two were admitted to the hospital, both in stable condition.• Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Received one critically injured plant worker with back and neck injuries from Mainland Medical Center.
Motorman faulted in death of signal engineer
BOSTON- The operator of a subway train was likely at fault in the death of a veteran signal engineer who was killed when he was struck by a train while working on a frozen signal, a transit official said. Obioma Hillary Nna was killed on Jan. 27 near Wellington Station in Medford.
Man killed in petroleum tanker explosion
HARLINGEN, Texas - Local authorities and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were investigating the cause of a petroleum explosion that killed a worker early Friday. David Cavazos, 47, was cleaning a petroleum tanker when the explosion occurred at Wright Petroleum Co. Inc. "There are a lot of fumes in those tankers and something triggered them off," said Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio. "Unfortunately, he was right there.
N.J. trucker killed in Brunswick crash
NJ- A New Jersey truck driver was killed Monday when he lost control of a tractor-trailer on state Route 46 in Brunswick County and crashed. State police said Dean R. Motter, 47, of Blackwood, N.J., wrecked about 12:30 p.m. a half-mile south of state Route 652.
Suspect in slaying of Vietnamese store owner arrested
Baton Rouge, Louisiana- US Police in the Louisiana city of Baton Rouge on Feb. 23 arrested a man accused of fatally shooting a store owner of Vietnamese origin last week. Roy Ray Banks, 25, was booked into the Parish Prison Monday night on counts of first-degree murder and armed robbery. Banks is accused of shooting Sammy Nguyen, 40, in the head outside his store around 8:45 p.m. Friday Feb. 18.
Trooper's death fortified tough meth law effort Oklahoma officer slain by addict on day after Christmas in 2003
West Virginia- On the day after Christmas in 2003, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nik Green left his home in the little community of Devol just north of the Red River. A neighbor had alerted him about a suspicious car on a quiet country road about a mile away. It didn't take long for Green to find the car, along with an addict in the process of setting up equipment in the trunk to make methamphetamine. A struggle ensued, with the addict gaining control of Green's service pistol. A video camera in Green's cruiser captured only the horrifying audio, on which the trooper can be heard pleading in vain for his life.
Sinkhole Death: Firefighters Recover Body of City Worker
SUN VALLEY, CA — Flags at city facilities were ordered flown at half staff today after firefighters recovered the body of a city worker who died when he fell into a sinkhole in Sun Valley. Rory Shaw, a civil engineer with the Department of Public Works' Bureau of Engineering, had been a city employee for 15 years. "My heart and prayers go out to Rory's family, friends and co-workers and I extend my deepest sympathies," said Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. "I have ordered all flags at city facilities to be flown at half staff in his honor.
MAN SHOT DEAD AFTER DISPUTE WITH CLIENT AT REPAIR SHOP
Palm Beach, FL- A mechanic was shot and killed in front of an auto repair store Wednesday afternoon after getting into an argument with a customer, police said. The customer fired twice at the mechanic at Phoenix Auto Repair, located at 2617 South St., striking him once in the back as he tried to run, according to police and witnesses. Investigators identified the victim as 39-year-old Hector Inostroza of West Palm Beach. He was rushed into emergency surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center soon after the attack and died on the operating table, according to police.
Train collision kills truck driver
KELLOGG, MINN.- A 57-year-old man died Monday when a train struck the semitrailer truck he was driving in southeastern Minnesota. Harry Grant Roberts Jr., of Lake City, was declared dead at the scene of the crash, which happened about 12:30 p.m. in Kellogg.
DEER BLAMED IN FATAL ACCIDENT ON NEW ROAD IN AMHERST; BAIT-AND-SHOOT ISSUE THRUST INTO SPOTLIGHT
Buffalo, New York- Deer in the road caused a fatal crash Friday night in Amherst, a suburb that has tried for years to pare its large deer herd for just this reason. Jeremy Glosser, 24, of Lockport, a taxi driver for Custom Cab, was killed in the deer-car crash in North Amherst, police said. A passenger in the taxi, Donna Young, 41, also of Lockport, was taken to Erie County Medical Center with head injuries. She was listed in fair condition Saturday, a hospital official said.
Crop-duster pilot dies in crash Ceres man cited engine trouble before he died
CA- A crop-duster pilot was killed Friday when his aircraft crashed in a muddy field shortly after taking off from the Firebaugh Airport, authorities reported. The Fresno County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Daniel Shanahan, 40, of Ceres in Stanislaus County. Jim Williams, a safety inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration in Fresno, declined to comment about what might have caused the crash. His office will file a report with the National Transportation Safety Board. It could take one to six months for the investigation to be completed.
Slain Store Owner Planned A Safer Business, Wife Says
Lakeland, FL -- Raised a Southern Baptist, Donna Abu-Khdair found Islam, and then, six years ago, found her husband, Fadi Abu-Khdair, a Palestinian from Jerusalem, whose idea of the American dream was to own a convenience store. The young couple lived out that dream, operating a BP gas station on Memorial Boulevard for the past three years, working seven-day weeks selling everything from fried chicken to budget cigars. It was not meant to be, said Donna Abu-Khdair, 27, whose husband was shot and killed last Wednesday night as he tended his store, alone.
Building ruled out in illness; UCR: One participant in a seminar has died, and several others have reported symptoms.
CA- Riverside County's disease-control chief has found no evidence to suggest that a UC Riverside building is unsafe after the death of a Huntington Beach police officer and the illnesses of other participants in a seminar earlier this month. "There's nothing suggesting the building in and of itself is the cause of any illness," said Barbara Cole on Friday. Mark Hanson, a Huntington Beach police officer, died Sunday night at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital in Orange County of acute bronchitis, the Orange County coroner's office ruled earlier this week.
Town wants trains to slow down following deadly wrecks
ROSELAND, La.- Following two deadly wrecks in four days near here, the town council is calling on the state to get trains to slow down as they pass through Tangipahoa Parish in southeastern Louisiana. On Thursday, Amtrak's City of New Orleans passenger train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing in Independence killing two workmen. Four days before, the same train killed a man and three girls in a pickup truck in Roseland, about 10 miles from the scene of Thursday's fatal wreck. Both crossings had only crossbuck signs and no warning lights. The town council met Thursday and drafted a resolution calling on the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to slow down trains. The council also wants to install crossing guards. Killed Thursday were two men who were in an electrical contractor's bucket truck, Tangipahoa Parish sheriff's spokesman Chuck Reed said. The men were identified as Tyler Davis Jr., 23, of Ponchatoula, and Dan Warren, 35, of Amite. Davis, the driver, is the son of a Hammond developer who lost another son to a scuba diving accident several years ago, Reed said.
Cause of fatal plane crash may never be known
Sheboygan, WI- A preliminary report on the plane crash Feb. 4 that killed three Plymouth Foam Inc. executives and a pilot indicates the aircraft slammed into the ground nearly nose-first after rapid-ly dropping from the sky from 7,000 feet, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. But because so little wreckage was recoverable, the crash's cause may never be known, one local aviation operator said. Killed in the crash were Scott E. Roberts, 41, and Vance Roberts, 49, brothers and co-owners of Plymouth Foam; Michael A. Borzcik, 50, a vice president of the firm; and pilot Paul A. Riddle, 71.
Henry officer on way to call killed in crash; 3 teens charged in burglary that brought police
GA- Charges will not be filed against the truck driver involved in a crash that killed a Henry County police officer en route to a burglary call early Wednesday morning. Officials said the driver "did everything possible" to avoid hitting the police officer. But three men were charged in connection with the burglary the officer was headed for. The three allegedly tripped an alarm at Premier Wireless at 110 Eagle's Landing Parkway about 5 a.m. Wednesday, sending police to the scene. One of the responding officers was slightly injured when he was hit by the fleeing suspects' car, said Henry County police Lt. Jason Bolton. Officers fired shots at the suspects but no one was hit, Bolton said. The three men were caught after a short car chase. Officer Charles "Chuck" Haist, 32, was answering a call for backup at the scene when he crashed into a Dodge pickup truck heading eastbound on Ga. 20/81 near the entrance ramp to I-75 in Henry County. Witnesses told police Haist was driving with lights and sirens at the time.
2 indicted in killing of restaurant executive
DALLAS _ Two men were indicted on capital murder charges Wednesday by a Dallas County grand jury in connection with the kidnapping and slaying of a Dallas restaurant owner. Jose Felix and Edgar Acevedo are accused of kidnapping Oscar Sanchez from his Oak Cliff neighborhood in January and killing him. Felix is being held in the Dallas County jail. Acevedo is believed to be in Mexico. The restaurant executive's body was found Jan. 27 under construction debris in a remote wooded area in southeast Dallas. The Sanchez family operates El Ranchito and La Calle Doce restaurants in the Oak Cliff and Lakewood areas of Dallas. The indictment accuses the men of shooting and killing Sanchez during the kidnapping.
Officials check for UCR link in death; TIMETABLE: The Huntington Beach police officer was on the campus last week.
Riverside, CA- Health officials in Riverside and Orange counties are investigating whether the death of a Huntington Beach police officer was linked to time he spent at a training seminar at UC Riverside last week. Mark Hanson, 46, died Sunday night at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital in Orange County of acute bronchitis, said Joseph Luckey, supervising deputy coroner for the Orange County Sheriff's Department coroner's office.
Ohio trucker killed in crash on mountain pass
Bellaire, Ohio- A tractor-trailer jackknifed coming down the west side of icy Homestake Pass on Interstate 90 and smashed into a parked semitrailer, killing its driver as he was making a roadside adjustment of his trailer's brakes, the Montana Highway Patrol said Monday. The victim was Michael Martin, 48, of Bellaire, Ohio. He died Sunday night when he was pinned between his truck and the guardrail.
Brenda D. Cowan Act passes in the Senate
Lexington, KY — Senate Bill 217, also known as the Brenda D. Cowan Act, was passed unanimously by the Kentucky Senate Thursday by a vote of 38 - 0. The bill would amend KRS 508.025, relating to assault in the third degree, to provide that a person is guilty of assault in the third degree when he causes or attempts to cause physical injury to emergency medical services personnel, organized fire department members, and rescue squad personnel. The bill would also name the Act the "Brenda D. Cowan Act" in honor of Lexington Fire and Emergency Services' Lt. Brenda Cowan, who was gunned down on Feb. 13 while responding to a victim of domestic violence.
N.C. man found shot to death at truck stopWilmington
N.C.- A North Carolina truck driver was found shot to death Tuesday morning at a Greensville County truck stop. WWBT-TV reports that Frank Dolce Jr., 42, of Wilmington, N.C., was found early Tuesday morning shot to death in his cab. Dolce worked for Ace Transportation based in Lafayette, La. Greensville Police said Dolce had made a delivery in Baltimore and was heading back home when he pulled into Love's Truck Stop around 9 p.m. Monday. The death is under investigation by the Greensville Sheriff's Department.
Murder charge filed in store clerk killing
DURHAM, NC -- Police on Thursday charged a Durham man with murder in the death of a convenience store clerk who was fatally beaten in February. Keith Wade Kidwell, 20, was charged with murder in the Feb. 10 death of Crayton Nelms, a 45-year-old cashier at the Kangaroo gas station and convenience store at 4604 N. Roxboro Road. An autopsy revealed that Nelms died from blunt force trauma, Durham police Investigator Vincent Bynum said.
State charges pair in jewel killings
BRIDGEPORT A Superior Court judge Tuesday signed arrest warrants for Christopher DiMeo and his girlfriend, Nicole Pearce, for last week's murders of Fairfield jewelry store owners Tim and Kim Donnelly. The warrants charging DiMeo with capital felony, two counts each of murder and felony murder and one count of first-degree robbery and Pearce with two counts of felony murder and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery were to be served on the defendants today in their Nassau County, N.Y., jail cells.
HOUSEKEEPER'S SLAYING `PURE TORTURE,' COPS SAY, HER BOSS IS ACCUSED OF POURING BLEACH DOWN HER THROAT AND STRANGLING HER.
Orlando, FL -- Housekeeper Wanda Wright died a horrible death. She was beaten, had bleach poured down her throat and her mouth duct-taped before she was strangled with a belt. The 39-year-old Titusville woman was killed, police said Friday, because Margaret Allen, whose house she cleaned, was convinced that Wright had stolen a purse containing $2,000. As Allen, her 18-year-old son, Quintin, and her boyfriend, James Terry Martin of Titusville, went to court Friday to face charges in the case, investigators collected evidence from Wright's shallow grave west of Mims. "I cannot imagine what she went through, having to ingest cleaning fluids and having a belt tied around her throat," said Cmdr. John Lau of the Titusville Police Department. "This is just pure torture." According to police, Wright was cleaning the house Tuesday when Allen, who has a long criminal history, accused her of stealing the purse.Truck driver killed in crash with trainSELZ, N.D.- A Schwan's delivery truck driver was killed when his truck collided with a train at a crossing on a Pierce County gravel road, the Highway Patrol says. James Roma, 38, of Harvey, failed to yield to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train around 11 a.m. Wednesday and was killed on impact, authorities said. It happened about 1 mile east of Selz, at a crossing marked with crossbucks.
Daughter files lawsuit in man's forklift death
Pittsburgh, PA- The daughter of a North Fayette man who died in an industrial accident in a Hays shipping warehouse has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the warehouse operator and the man who ran over her father with a forklift. The lawsuit filed last week in Allegheny County court seeks unspecified damages from Tech Industries -- which operates the Galvtech warehouse -- and forklift driver Brad Winters, of Elizabeth Township, for the March 2003 death of Joseph Beck, 59.
Victim likely watched, ambushed ; Gunman netted $ 2,000 in October robbery and killing of kind-hearted business owner
Houston, TX- A northside Houston business owner known for helping the downtrodden apparently was stalked by robbers in the days before he was shot to death, investigators said. Police think Larry Fiedler, 62, was the victim of a "jugging"-style robbery that netted the gunman $ 2,000 Oct. 18 outside Fiedler's scrap-metal business at 1515 N. Main. Fielder died Dec. 12. Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to $ 5,000 for tips leading to an arrest and charges.
Mickel admits he killed cop
Marysville, CA- Andrew H. Mickel admitted Friday that he killed Red Bluff police Officer David Mobilio but will not reveal his defense until later in his trial. "I want to tell you that I did ambush and kill David Mobilio," Mickel, who is representing himself, told a Colusa County jury of seven women and five men during his opening statement. Mickel said prosecutors will present evidence - all true - that he bought the gun used to kill Mobilio on Nov. 19, 2002, and left a homemade flag at the murder scene with the words, "This was a political action."
No rules broken in Lone's death, Policy allowed him to remove float coat, police chief says
Seattle- Officer Jackson Lone removed a flotation device while on shore securing a tugboat, slipped, hit his head and drowned in the waters of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, a Seattle police investigation has determined. The death of the 39-year-old Harbor Patrol officer was an accident, and Lone did not break any department policies by not wearing his "float coat" on shore, Chief Gil Kerlikowske said yesterday during a news conference.
Easton SWAT officer dies after Downtown shooting, Fallen city officer was eight-year veteran
EASTON, PA -- An eight-year city police veteran was fatally wounded Friday afternoon inside police headquarters as officers completed SWAT training exercises, sources said. Patrolman Jesse Sollman was shot about 3:30 p.m. inside the police building on South Third Street, officials said.
Company cited in deadline accident
MONTICELLO, I- , Iowa An eastern Iowa company has been cited for a safety violation in connection with an accident in January that killed a worker. Police say the January 21st accident at the Commander Buildings Incorporated site in Monticello killed 53-year-old Dennis Dirks, of Manchester, when a large steel truss struck him and a co-worker. Dirks was pronounced dead at a hospital. His co-worker suffered head and leg injuries and was treated and released.
Six Killed in Pennsylvania Plane Crash
BELLEFONTE, Pa. Mar 26, 2005 — Six People Killed in Single-Engine Plane Crash Outside Bellefonte, Pa., Near Construction Site. Six people were killed when a single-engine plane crashed Saturday near a construction site where a new county prison is being built, authorities said. The turboprop plane went down around 2 p.m. in Benner Township just outside Bellefonte, the Centre County seat, near the site of the future Centre County Correctional Facility, officials said. Witnesses said the plane sputtered and hit the ground nose-first, said Tim Boyde, county director of administrative services, who was at the crash scene. Attorney Carl Freedman said pilot Jeffrey Jacober, 51, of Providence, R.I., and Gregg Weingeroff, 49, were killed along with the four other passengers. He said both men were his clients and his personal friends.
Roper man ran over, killed in Martin County
NC- A Roper man was killed early Friday morning after a tractor-trailer ran him over at the Weyerhaeuser lumber mill. Shortly before 9 a.m. Tyrese Lamont Allen, 29, of 76 Spruill's Loop Road died at the scene when he was knocked to the ground by the vehicle and trapped between the truck and the trailer.
Employee burned in company explosion dies of burns
Oklahoma City,OK- A man has died after suffering burns in a series of explosions at an Edmond construction company. Officials say Daniel Littrell was flown by helicopter to Integris Baptist Medical Center after the Thursday afternoon explosion at Duit Construction Company. The 42-year-old employee died later of complications from the burns.
Family mourns man shot to death Friday
VA- A Virginia Beach family is dealing with the Good Friday murder of a husband and father. Thomas Laurendeau, 58, was killed yesterday when a man entered the Wachovia Bank in the College Square Park shopping center and shot Laurendeau multiple times. Laurendeau was an employee at the bank. "He stayed late at the bank a lot because he was the only guy there, and he worried about those girls being there alone," said Martha Laurendeau, his widow.
Police: Anonymous caller may have clues in security guard's murder
AKRON, OH -- A 9-1-1 caller could help solve a homicide case in Akron. The problem is the woman reported the murder anonymously, and police were unable to trace her cell phone call. Police say it all started with the suspect breaking the glass doors of Burt Greenwald Chevrolet. When the alarm went off, Buckeye Security sent long-time employee Michael Laughlin. Minutes later an anonymous woman called police. “Hurry up it’s a white blazer,” said the 9-1-1 caller. “He just shot a man. He beat him, and he shot him. Hurry up get down there!”
Man, woman found dead in office building in downtown Greenville
Birmingham,AL- An employee of an architectural firm killed a female co-worker and then himself at the office where they worked, Greenville police say. Danny O'Neal Moon, 54, of Greenville died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 5 p.m. Friday, Greenville County Deputy Coroner Linda Holbrook said. Moon and Linda Ann Cuturilo, 49, of Greenville were found in a downtown office building that housed architectural firm Aracadis, Holbrook said. Greenville police spokesman Lt. Mike Gambrell said Moon entered the office of Cuturilo, an administrative assistant, and shot her in the head with a small caliber handgun.
Gas-hauling tractor-trailer explodes, killing driver
Newark,NJ- The driver of a tractor-trailer loaded with gasoline was killed yesterday when the vehicle overturned and exploded while leaving the New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 11, police said. Jasvir Singh, 25, of Middlesex, died in the accident, which shut down the exit for the southbound truck lanes for several hours, authorities said.
Company fined in mill worker's death had previous violations
CONCRETE, Wash. -- A sawmill fined for safety violations after a mill worker was dragged into a debarking machine and killed had been cited for safety problems in the past. The state Department of Labor and Industries investigated operations at NW Forest Fibre Products three years ago, then cited the company for failing to develop a "log-out, tag-out" plan requiring employees to lock down a machine's power supply before performing maintenance on it. L&I spokesman Robert Nelson said the company had not put such a plan in place by Sept. 15, when a rag that 28-year-old Keith Cain was using to wipe water off a debarker drum got caught between two spinning tires and dragged him into the machine, which strips bark from tree limbs.
Truck driver killed in I-95 crash
NORWALK -- Slippery road conditions apparently led to an accident that killed a Islip, N.Y., truck driver on Interstate 95 near the Norwalk-Westport border early yesterday, state police said. Donald Bulk, 52, was driving a Sysco Food tractor-trailer in the right southbound lane when a van driven by a Port Chester, N.Y., woman lost control and spun across the highway at 1:02 a.m., police said.
Granite slabs crush stone worker to death
SCHILLER PARK, IL -- A Chicago man was killed when 6,000 pounds of granite fell on him Thursday while he was on the job at a stone fabrication and installation company in Schiller Park, police said. Ivan Caudillo, 21, of the 2500 block of South Albany Avenue, was pronounced dead at Euro Marble and Granite.
construction worker found dead identified
Seattle- The construction worker whose body was found outside a former restaurant on Dexter Avenue North earlier this week has been identified as Ramiro Longoria, 44, according to the King County Medical Examiner's office. Ramiro Longoria died from skull and rib fractures, injuries to his head and torso and lung lacerations, according to a medical examiner investigator. It's not known if Longoria fell or jumped from the building, but police say there was no evidence of a crime. Longoria's body was found by a passerby early Wednesday on the pavement below the upper balcony of the now-closed Adriatica Restaurant at 1107 Dexter Ave. N. The tri-level building is being remodeled and police said Longoria had been working on the project and sleeping at the site.
Worker Dies After Fall From Bridge
Nashville, TN- A construction worker was killed Friday morning in Columbia when he fell off a bridge while preparing to sandblast it, authorities said. Investigators believe he was painting underneath the bridge over the Duck River on Highway 31 when he fell about 50 feet onto a rocky area. He died instantly. Investigators are now trying to figure out what kind of safety harness or equipment he was using.
Police Release Name of Worker Killed at RC Willey
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- We now know the name of the R.C. Willey employee crushed to death yesterday. Police say 24-year-old Travis Nielsen was killed at a R.C. Willey Warehouse in Salt Lake City. They say six tabletops -- weighing a total of 18-hundred pounds -- fell on him. Authorities say they aren't sure how much time exactly passed before workers found the man. They pushed the tabletops off Nielsen and called 911. Nielsen was pronounced dead at the scene. Salt Lake City police spokesman Dwayne Baird said there was no evidence of foul play.
Utah man dies in construction accident at Tamarack
Tamarack Resort officials have confirmed a fatal accident at a construction site at the new resort. Resort officials say the accident was not related to the skiing hill. A construction worker was killed on a job site around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after a beam struck him in the head. He was wearing a hard hat. The deceased man has been identified as 32-year-old John Robert Steele of Utah. He worked for Jacobsen construction, which was building the members lodge at Tamarack.
N.J. Motel Owner Killed
NJ- A Burlington County motel owner was shot to death Tuesday and the gunman remained at large Tuesday night. A landscaper found Ranjit "Randy" Patel, 57, of Voorhees, on the floor near the registration desk of the Rodeway Inn Motor Lodge about 2:30 p.m. Bleeding from a head wound, Patel was pronounced dead when EMTs arrived.
Mechanic Crushed By School Bus
Seattle,WA- MONROE - A mechanic was run over and killed by a school bus near Monroe Tuesday morning. The Snohomish County sheriff's office says the mechanic was alone with the bus after it broke down in the 12600 block of 251st Avenue Southeast. The driver of the bus carrying junior and senior high school students had called for a replacement bus and the mechanic. Deputy Rich Niebusch says the students were transferred to the new bus and taken to school. About 7:40 a nearby resident reported seeing the bus roll down a hill to an empty field. The man's body was discovered in the path of the bus. He was a six-year employee of the district. Deputies and the Washington State troopers are investigating.
UPS worker found dead, Fremont resident discovered in truck; autopsy planned today
FREMONT — When Richard Brennan did not return from his delivery route Monday evening, his United Parcel Service co-workers began to worry he might be in trouble. Two hours later, their worst fears were realized. Brennan, a 48-year-old Fremont resident, was found dead in his UPS truck some three hours after he made his last delivery, said police Sgt. Mark Riggs.
TOSHA Investigates Fatal Fall
TN-Tennessee authorities are investigating an accident that killed a construction worker last Friday. It happened at the future site of Woodland Park Baptist Church off of Standifer Gap Road in Chattanooga. Police say 46-year-old James Stephens of Chickamauga, Georgia was 80-feet off the ground when he apparently slipped and fell to his death. He worked for Chattanooga Crane & Rigging. Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health officials are conducting a formal investigation. They say it will be at least two weeks before they release their preliminary findings.