dead
Sacramento man impaled while driving 580 near Livermore
LIVERMORE, CA – According to the California Highway Patrol a Sacramento man was impaled by a metal rod while driving along interstate 580 in Livermore. Officers believe the man may be from the Rocklin area.
The freak accident occurred just after 8 a.m. Wednesday when Rocklin resident, 33-year-old, Michael Cox was driving his 2003 white Volvo XC70 in the southbound direction. A 2 to 3-foot long rod broke through the windshield of the vehicle piercing Cox in the upper torso and head area, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and slamming into an embankment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to officials, the rod may have come off the back of a truck and they are doubtful they will be able to find the truck without assistance from the public. The bar was two to three inches in diameter and bore no markings.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the CHP at (925) 828-0466 and ask for Hahn or Officer Azevedo.
Founding member of The Doors Dead at 74
Top left: Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison, John Densmore and Robby Krieger.
Photo: Electra Records
Ray Manzarek, co-founder of the rock group The Doors died Monday due to complications from cancer.
Publicist Heidi Robinson Fitzgerald announced Monday that Manzarek died of bile duct cancer in Rosenheim, Germany at the age of 74. He was surrounded by his family.
Manzarek was one of the founding members of The Doors and was the key ingredient to Jim Morrison’s moody vocals which helped propelled the venerable rock group to sell over 100 million records, even though the band was only together for a few years.
The Doors’ original lineup included Jim Morris (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), John Densmore (drummer) and Robbie Krieger (guitarist).
The Doors only produced six albums, but after Morrison’s untimely death, fans became obsessed with the band and even to this day maintain a cult following.
Their hits included “The Crystal Ship,” “Roadhouse Blues,” “Riders On the Storm” and “Light My Fire.”
In a statement Densmore said, “There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison’s words,” continuing he wrote, “Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother.”
In 1991 Oliver Stone directed “The Doors” starring Val Kilmer as Morrison and Kyle MacLachlan as Manzerek. Manzerek took exception to the films portrayal of Morrison as a drunk.
In later years Krieger and Manzarek formed a group called Doors of the 21st Century. Densmore objected forcing Krieger and Manzarek to perform under different names.
Manzarek played with X and Iggy Pop and others throughout the years. He also penned a memoir entitled, “Light My Fire,” as well as a novel, “The Poet In Exile.”
Manzerek was performing in the band Rick and the Ravens when he met Morrison in 1965 in Venice Beach, Calif. ultimately forming The Doors. Morrison told Manzarek that he had been writing songs, “I was taking notes at a fantastic rock’n'roll concert going on in my head,” which led to the song “Moonlight Drive.”
Manzarek is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son Pablo and two brothers, Rick and James. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Man shot dead in South Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, CA -The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that a 27-year-old man was shot and killed in South Sacramento Saturday morning.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department received numerous calls in the early morning hours of Saturday of shots fired in the 4800 block of Baker Avenue.
Deputies arrived to find 27-year-old Atelea Matini Kaihea Jr. in the front yard of 4801 Baker Avenue, with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 22-year-old man was shot in the arm and transported to a local hospital.
Witnesses told investigators they saw a car speeding away from the area after the gunshots, but did not have a description of the occupants of the vehicle.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office at 916-874-5115 or 916-874-TIPS.
House fire claims man’s life
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department responded to a house fire on Monday and discovered a man inside the burning building along with his dogs.
According to the Sacramento Fire Department, crews responded to the blaze just after 3 p.m. on the 4000 block of Main Street. When crews arrived they observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the structure. As firefighters entered the home they discovered the body of 54-year-old Ronald Burns and his four dogs.
Two firefighters were injured and both are expected to be ok.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In a separate incident, a fire at an apartment complex that destroyed several apartments on Bamford Drive near Mack Road in South Sacramento resulted in the injury of two firefighters. They are expected to be ok, suffering minor burns.
Rio Linda shooting leaves 1 dead
In what may have been a drive-by shooting, a man in his 20’s was shot and killed at his residence at 6811 Radalyac Court in Rio Linda Friday night, just after 10:15.
Deputies arrived on scene and discovered 28-year-old Terrell Deandre Smith inside his residence with at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Two men, who were inside the home, were detained and questioned by deputies. Witnesses said two or three vehicles were seen leaving the scene, but it’s not clear if the occupants of those vehicles were related to the shooting.
Homicide detectives are currently investigating the shooting and there are currently no suspect(s) or known motive.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact Sheriff’s Homicide detectives at (916) 874-5115. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com, by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering the keyword SSD, or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).
Man drowns in American River
Photo: Randy Miramontez
According to the Sacramento Fire Department a 25-year-old man drowned Sunday while swimming in the American River.
Units were called out yesterday after two men and a 12-year-old girl were swimming near Howe Avenue. That’s when Elk Grove resident Demorea Rafael Davis began to tire, struggling to stay afloat and eventually disappeared under water.
The surviving man and young girl were able to swim to safety. Rescuers located the body of the missing man and transported the two survivors to a local hospital for treatment.
Reminder: Any child 12 and under must wear a life-vest. Officials warn anyone swimming river waters to always wear a life-vest no matter your age.
The Sacramento Drowning Accident Rescue Team (DART) explains a typical drowning that seems to occur all too often on the American River and appears to have been the case in this most recent incident.
Here a synopsis of what is documented on DART’s rescue recover page. You can visit there for a more detailed explanation of how events typically transpire.
Typically a group of friends dive into the river and start swimming toward a goal, such as an island, or beach on the opposite side of the river. As the swimmers progress they begin to race each other. The victim begins to tire at a rapid pace, with his friends leaving him behind. The victim tries to catch up and expends even more energy.
Stopping to catch his breath he assesses the situation while treading water and sees that his friends are still closer than the shore and continues to try and catch up.
Struggling to catch up to his friends the victim concentrates all his efforts on his arms and legs, now spending the majority of his energy on keeping afloat and his head above water.
As his breathing becomes short and irregular the he swallow a small amount of water and may begin to cough. All his concentration is now focused on breathing and keeping his head above water, never thinking to call for help. After swallowing even more water his body begins to lose buoyancy and begins to sink.
Don’t let this happen to you. Wear a life-vest!
Chris Kelly of “Kris Kross” dead at 34
Chris Smith(L) and Chris Kelly
Photo: Amazon
CNN is reporting that rapper Chris Kelly, one half of the duo “Kris Kross” has died.
Kelly’s mother called for help yesterday from Kelly’s Atlanta home. Paramedics found Kelly unresponsive at the scene and transported him to a local hospital where he was declared dead.
According to a Fulton County Police report, cocaine and heroin may have played a part in Kelly’s death. Donna Kelly Pratt, Chris’ mother, told police that her son had taken what is known as speedballs the night before – a mixture of cocaine and heroin.
The police report went on to say that Kelly had felt nauseous all morning and then passed out. Both Kelly’s mother and uncle told police that Kelly had a drug problem.
According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office they are scheduled to perform an autopsy today.
“Kris Kross,” was a duo back in the ‘90s consisting of Chris ‘Mac Daddy’ Kelly and Chris ‘Daddy Mac’ Brown. In 1992 their hit single “Jump” shot to No. 1 and stayed there for eight straight weeks, according to Billboard Hot 100.
Numerous fans headed to Twitter to offer their condolences.
Vanilla Ice @vanillaice, “Today a hip-hop soldier has fallen, I will pay respect by wearing my clothes backwards. #kriskross”
Alyssa Milano @Alyssa_Milano, “Rest in peace. Chris Kelly Dead: Kris Kross Rapper Dies At Age 34”
LL Cool J @llcoolj, “R.I.P Chris Kelly. This song is now officially dedicated to you. May GOD embrace your soul & lift up your family. http://t.co/E7wHmBpqZK”
Suspected DUI leads to Roseville mans death
Jordan Tonya Louis Peters
Photo: Roseville PD
A 69-year-old Roseville man was killed in a horrific traffic accident on Pleasant Grove Blvd. in Roseville Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Roseville Police Department, Robert Alan Weaver was killed after a car driven by, 45-year-old Lincoln resident, Jordan Tonya Louise Peters crashed into the rear of a vehicle causing a chain reaction with five other vehicles.
Both vehicles were headed in the eastbound direction on Pleasant Grove Blvd. just before 4 p.m., when Peters was reportedly driving her car extremely erratically and crashed into the rear of a vehicle that was also going eastbound, but had stopped at the stoplight.
Eastbound lanes were shut down for hours as authorities completed their investigation. Four people were transported to a local hospital, including Weaver’s wife who is currently listed in serious condition.
No word on the others injured in the collision.
According to Roseville Police spokeswoman Dee Dee Gunther, Peters was arrested at the scene on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving under the influence of drugs. She is currently in Placer County Jail.
Peters is a practicing attorney at Peters Law, Inc. providing employment law assistance to clients throughout the Sacramento, California, area.
Man killed several injured in collision
Rancho Cordova, Calif. – According to Sacramento Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sergeant Jason Ramos, a vehicle accident at the intersection of Folsom and Sunrise Boulevard resulted in a 51-year-old man dead and a number of people injured, including a 4-year-old boy, who was originally thought to have sustained life-threatening injuries.
At approximated 11:15 p.m. Friday night a Volvo, driven by 51-year-old Ivan Calvin, entered the intersection at an extremely high rate of speed, where it collided with a Range Rover.
Because of the high rate of speed the two vehicles then struck three other vehicles, with the occupants of those vehicles being taken to local hospitals for treatment. The 4-year-old boy was reported to be in good condition and did not suffer major injuries as first believed.
Calvin was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The Rancho Cordova Police Department is investigating. Anyone having information pertinent to this accident is asked to contact the department at (916) 875-9600
1 dead 2 injured in crash
Vincent Rapolla
Screen grab – Facebook
El Dorado County, Calif. – An 18-year-old man is dead and two women injured after a solo-vehicle accident on Friday morning on Highway 50 just east of Red Hawk Parkway.
According Officer Dan Stark of the California Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 11 a.m. Friday when a Toyota Corolla, being driven by Diamond Springs resident 25-year-old Laura Duggin, lost control. Apparently Duggin over corrected after colliding with the center divide, causing the car to roll over.
Nineteen-year-old Vincent Rapolla, was riding in the backseat and was thrown from the vehicle. According to the CHP he was not wearing a seatbelt. Rapolla was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eighteen-year-old Ashley Valdez, was riding in the front seat and was taken to UC Davis Medical Center by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses say Duggin suffered major injuries to her face and was conscious immediately following the accident.
The CHP is still investigating the cause of the accident, but they did say drugs and alcohol did not appear to be a factor.
