death
Man dies after high speed chase on I80
The California Highway Patrol received reports of a BMW driving erratically along Interstate 80 near Donner Summit on Monday. The man driving the BMW sped off after a Highway Patrolman attempted to pull him over, leading officers on a high-speed chase ending with the BMW going airborne.
The driver of the BMW, identified as Penn Valley resident 55-year-old William Orr, died as a result of the crash and injured two California Conservation Corps workers who were working in a clearly marked construction zone.
Officers attempted to pull Orr over near Yuba Gap as they observed the BMW using a construction zone to pass other vehicles. The chase resulted in speeds over 100 MPH. The resulting crash occurred just west of Soda Springs on westbound Interstate 80. The vehicle went airborne and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
The two workers were trying to flee the area as the BMW went airborne. Both workers are from Fresno and were identified as 23-year-old Linda Heuangpaseud and 19-year-old Jose Gabriel Garcia. Heuangpaseud was transported by air to a Reno hospital with head injuries and Garcia was transported by ambulance to Tahoe Forest Hospital complaining of pain.
According to officers, large quantities of marijuana stuffed into jars and buckets were found near the scene of the accident.
All westbound traffic was shut down for hours at Castle Peak.
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!
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
Country legend George Jones dead at 81
George Jones (1931 – 2013)
According to George Jones’ publicist, Kirt Webster, the legendary country music star died today (Friday) at the age of 81.
Jones was forced to postpone two shows after he was hospitalized with a fever and irregular blood pressure, this according to Webster. He died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
Friends and fans took to Twitter to offer their condolences.
Blake Shelton tweeted, “Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…”
The Oakridge Boys tweeted, “It’s sad day. George Jones will not be forgotten & we will never stop loving him. Prayers with the family. @gjpossum http://opry.com/georgejones”
Keith Urban tweeted, “If I’m blessed enough to make it there, I look forward to you giving me the grand tour. Rest in peace George Jones!!!!! -KU”
1992 Country Music Hall of Famer led a wild and turbulent life which led to him not showing up to many of his concerts, earning him the nickname ‘No Show Jones.’
His hits included “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” “The Race is On,” “White Lightning” and “Still Doing Time.” He recorded a number of songs with his then wife Tammy Wynette and paired up with country legends Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.
Jones was married four times with his first three marriages ending in divorce. He had a Daughter with his first wife Dorothy Bonvillion in 1950, two sons with his second wife Shirley Ann Corley who he married in 1954, one daughter with his third wife Tammy Wynette who he married in 1969.
In 1983, Jones married Nancy Ford Sepulvado. Jones insisted that his marriage to Nancy brought about his rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol, prolonging his life.
Jones is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Nancy Jones, his sister Helen Scroggins, and by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
South Sacramento woman shot to death
A woman was found shot to death in a South Sacramento home late Wednesday.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to the location just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, finding 53-year-old Rebecca H. Brau with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper torso.
Brau’s roommate contacted sheriff’s after arriving home to find her Brau shot to death. Responding officers found the woman in the bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics arrived on scene and declared the victim dead.
Homicide detectives are investigating. No motive or suspects have been identified. No further information was available.
Anyone having information pertinent to this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5115. Tip information may also be left anonymously at http://www.sacsheriff.com, by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering the keyword SSD, or by calling (916) 874-TIPS.
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3 Doors Down bassist charged in fatality
Todd Harrell – 2013
Photo: Nashville PD
According to a statement released by the Nashville Police Department, 41-year-old Robert Todd Harrell has been charged in the death of Nashville resident, 47-year-old Paul Howard Shoulders Jr.
Saturday investigators charged the ‘3 Doors Down’ bassist with vehicular homicide by intoxication for a crash that killed Shoulders late Friday night on Interstate 40 near Hermitage.
This is the second time in two years the guitarist has been arrested for a DUI.
Investigators said in the statement, “Harrell, of Secretariat Drive in Mt. Juliet, was driving his 2011 Cadillac CTS westbound on I-40 at a high rate of speed when the car clipped a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck being driven by Shoulders.”
Shoulders’ vehicle lost control striking a guardrail and then traveling down an embankment, ultimately overturning. Shoulders was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident and was ejected. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Harrell’s Cadillac careened into a retaining wall about a quarter mile away. Police say Harrell exhibited signs of impairment during a field sobriety test. He told officers he had been drinking hard cider and took the prescription drugs, Lortab and Xanax.
Todd Harrell – 2012
Photo: D’Iberville PD
Adding to the charges from Friday, as Harrell was being booked on Saturday, Sheriff’s deputies discovered a concealed plastic bag in Harrell’s sock containing Xanax, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone, so he is also being charged with bringing controlled substances into the county jail.
Harrell is currently in jail with a bail $100,000.
This isn’t the first time Harrell has been busted for a DUI. In 2012 he was arrested for a DUI after crashing his Cadillac into another vehicle in D’Iberville, Mississippi.
In that case, Harrell rear-ended the back of a Toyota truck causing major damage to both vehicles. The driver of the other vehicle suffered neck and back injuries.
3 Doors Down said in a statement on their website, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Howard Shoulders, Jr. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Man crushed to death by falling glass
Thermal Sun Glass Products
Photo: Google Maps
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department, 21-year-old Hugo Tapia was crushed to death by sheets of glass Friday morning.
The Windsor man was in his fourth week working at Thermal Sun Glass Products in the 3000 block of Brickway Blvd in Santa Rosa.
According to the Sonoma County sheriff’s statement, Topia was moving 5-7 sheets of glass on an A-frame with rollers in the back of the shop when the A-frame tipped.
“The employee was moving multiple sheets of glass, which weighed approximately 100 pounds per sheet, on a mobile A-Frame with rollers,” Lt. Tim Duke said in the statement. “It appears that during the movement of the glass sheets, the A-Frame tipped causing the glass sheets to dislodge and topple the employee.”
A representative with Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) was on scene after the accident.
Tapia’s mother, Lena Hernandez, worked next door at Redwood Empire Food Bank, but was not in the office at the time of the accident. Lisa Rich, a friend of Hernandez drove her to the scene.
Mathias Howell who was working alongside Tapia told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that as the pieces of glass were falling, “He didn’t move. He froze, watched it fall.”
Sonoma County Sheriff’s chaplain Nola Colbertson was on scene to console co-workers and relatives immediately following the accident.
