MEC&F Expert Engineers : 06/26/15

Friday, June 26, 2015

24-year-old woman driver killed in crash on N. Loop in Houston, Texas after rear-ended an 18-wheeler









HOUSTON, TEXAS

Houston police said a 24-year-old woman was killed Thursday night in a crash on the 610 North Loop.

The incident happened at about 11 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near the Irvington overpass.

Police said an 18-wheeler may have swerved from an exit ramp to the main lanes at the last second, causing the woman to crash into the back of the truck at a high rate of speed. 

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigated the incident, but there was no early confirmation on charges or fines the truck driver would face, if any.

The freeway's eastbound lanes were closed for several hours.

Houston police said a 24-year-old woman was killed

2 killed in a drunken car crash, 2 others suffer serious injury in Montgomery County, MD


 
Two Montgomery County teenagers were killed and one was left in critical condition Thursday night after a late-night crash in North Potomac that followed an underage drinking party, county authorities said Friday.

The crash happened around 11:52 p.m. in the 13800 block of Dufief Mill Road near Travilah Road, police said. 

Police said a sedan with four people inside was headed north and left the roadway, striking trees. The car came to rest in the front yard of a home.

Three of the four people inside the car were 18 years old, and one was 17 years old, said Montgomery County Police Capt. Tom Didone. Police identified the dead passengers as Alexander Murk, age 18, of Potomac and Calvin Jia-Xing Li, age 18, of Rockville. All four were students or recent graduates of Wootton High School in Rockville, according to the school’s website. 

The driver of the 2006 Acura TSX is identified as Samuel Joseph Ellis, age 18, of North Potomac. Ellis, who graduated from Wootton High School this month, was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The front seat passenger is not being identified due to the on-going investigation. The passenger was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

A woman who identified herself as Murk's grandmother declined to talk to a reporter, saying, "It's too painful." Efforts to reach family members of the other young men police identified were unsuccessful.

According to Wootton High School’s football coach, Eddie Tolliver, the crash involved three former football players – two that played this past season and one that played as a freshman. 

“Very surprised,” Tolliver said in an interview. Ellis was Wootton’s starting quarterback the last two seasons and Li played wide receiver and defensive back. “No one ever expects anything like this to happen. We’re just praying for their families.”

Just before 1 pm, Monica London came to the makeshift memorial near the crash site, laying a bouquet of purple flowers. "I'm just really sad," she said, saying her son played football with two of the teenagers.

She said the Wootton High School community was devastated and that the boys involved were "really good kids," great athletes and headed to college. "It could have been any of us," she said, standing next to the memorial, made of two tree branches fashioned into a cross adorned with a little cloth American flag.

Didone said a preliminary investigation showed that possible factors contributing to the fatal crash included speed, alcohol and a lack of seatbelt use by some of the teenagers.

The two back-seat passengers, who were not buckled, were pronounced dead at the scene, he said. It is unclear whether the driver’s seat belt was buckled.
Police are continuing to investigate the underage drinking party as well as the events leading to the fatal collision. The school will be open on Monday to provide counseling and support to students.

Virginia driver of car in hit and run that killed 74-year-old woman surrenders to police



jahnke ax
RICHMOND, Va. – An arrest has been made by Richmond Police in the fatal hit and run that killed one and injured four people on Wednesday night.

The suspect, Ronald D. Jeffers, 28, of the 5900 block of Westower Drive, turned himself in to police Friday at the Richmond Justice Center.

The fatal crash that occurred in the 6000 block of Jahnke Road at approximately 8 p.m. Wednesday.

“We appreciate the community’s help in this case,” said Lt. Thomas Nolan with the Traffic Unit. “As a result of its assistance and the information provided, this individual turned himself in to law enforcement.”


scene

The day after the crash, Richmond Police identified the woman who died at the scene, and also said they have recovered the vehicle involved in the crash. 

The driver of the Suzuki, Della L. Fields, 74, of the 100 block of East 36th Street, was pronounced dead at the scene. Passengers in the Suzuki and the driver of the Toyota were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A gold 2000 Chrysler 300, driven by Jeffers, was traveling northbound on Newell Road when it struck the side of a 2005 Suzuki XL7 headed east on Jahnke Road. Jeffers continued driving north on Newell Road without stopping.

The Suzuki collided with a 1992 Toyota Paseo traveling west on Jahnke Road before it swerved left and overturned. The SUV subsequently struck a fourth vehicle that was parked and unoccupied.

14-Year-Old Boy Killed, 2 Teens Injured in Huntington Beach Crash; Suspected DUI Driver Arrested



A suspected drink driver was arrested after a deadly three car crash in Huntington Beach on June 25, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)
A suspected drink driver was arrested after a deadly three car crash in Huntington Beach on June 25, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a multi-vehicle collision that killed a 14-year-old boy and injured two other teens in Huntington Beach, police said early Friday.

The major-injury collision occurred at the intersection of Newland Street and Adams Avenue around 7:35 p.m. Thursday, a short time after 911 dispatchers received a call about a possible drunk driver in the area, according to a news release from the Huntington Beach Police Department.

Based on the preliminary investigation, a silver 2000 Nissan Frontier was traveling southbound on Newland when it collided with a silver 2004 Toyota Tacoma, which was traveling northbound on the street, the release stated. The force of the crash sent the Toyota into a light pole, while the Nissan hit the GMC, which was stopped in westbound lanes on Adams.

The Toyota sustained major damage to the passenger side of the vehicle, and a 14-year-old passenger was trapped inside, police officials said in the release.
Paramedics from the Huntington Beach Fire Department used heavy rescue equipment to free the critically injured teen, then rushed him to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the release.

The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was a resident of Trabuco Canyon, police said.

His 18-year-old cousin, who was driving the Toyota, was transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana for moderate injuries, while an 18-year-old passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken to UCI Medical Center, authorities said.

Police said the driver was taking his two cousins home after eating with relatives at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Nissan — who was believed to have been related to the initial call of a possible drunk driver — was injured and taken to an area hospital for treatment, according to the release.

He has been arrested on suspicion of felony DUI resulting in death, and driving while unlicensed, police said.

The man was only identified as a 39-year-old resident of Santa Ana. Police stated they would not release his name until police could positively identify him.
The driver of the GMC was not injured in the collision.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash, or who may have witnessed it, to contact Investigator Robert Barr at 714-536-5666 or Investigator Josh Page at 714-536-5670.

During non-business hours or on weekends, callers can reach the Huntington Beach Police Department by dialing 714-960-8825.

Fire damages United Surface Finishing plant in northeast Canton, Ohio


The Stark County Hazardous Materials Unit was also called to United Surface Finishing, 2202 Gilbert Ave. NE 

Following a fire at United Surface Finishing Co., members of the Stark County Hazardous Materials Team were brought in to contain chemicals affected by the blaze. (Produced by Benjamin Duer)
  • Firefighters contained a fire at the United Surface Finishing plant at 2202 Gilbert Ave. NE in Canton on Thursday morning.
    CantonRep.com / Lori Monsewicz |
     
    Firefighters contained a fire at the United Surface Finishing plant at 2202 Gilbert Ave. NE in Canton on Thursday morning.\
     

    Jun 25, 2015 at 12:20 PM
    CANTON
    Firefighters battled an early morning blaze Thursday at a local finishing plant, drawing Stark County’s hazardous materials unit to the scene.
    About four or five employees were working in the upper portion of the 12,000-square-foot United Surface Finishing plant when the fire broke out at the other end of the plant around 5:30 a.m., said Lawrence Dalesio, midnight shift supervisor.
    Dalesio said he noticed the blaze and called firefighters.
    Summoned to what came in as an industrial commercial fire at 2315 Ellis Ave. NE just off Mahoning Road, firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the south side of the structure with fire in the center of the building, Chief Stephen J. Rich said in a news release later Thursday.
    Capt. Carl Jordan, acting battalion chief for the Canton Fire Department, said at the scene earlier Thursday morning that firefighters also learned “there were possibly some hazardous materials inside.”
    “So we set up a perimeter (and) applied water to the best of our ability from the outside,” he said. “We did manage to gain entry when absolutely necessary. We contained the fire to probably a 30-by-30 area and sent for HazMat.”
    Jordan said the fire was contained to the rear portion of the plant.
    No one was injured.
    “There was a little structural damage, however, to the area directly over the fire itself. The roof has been compromised.”
    Plant workers do chrome- and nickel-plating at the facility and use “a fairly serious product,” said Battalion Chief Thomas Garra, who leads the HazMat Unit.
    Jordan said the plant has a large container of material and that firefighters were trying to determine how full it had been prior to the fire.
    Garra said the problem exists should nickel combine with 100 percent nitric acid. One of the tanks has released a product and HazMat members suited up to go into the plant and check it out.
    Garra said no evacuations had been called for the area.
    “The product is contained to the building,” he said.
    The fire was long out by then. Firefighters were working to determine the cause.

Lightning may have started a fire at Clearwater Air Park







JUNE 24, 2015

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

Lightning may have started a fire at Clearwater Air Park early Wednesday afternoon, according to Clearwater Public Safety.

The fire broke out in a shed located 10 feet from two 10,0000 gallon fuel tanks. One holds jet fuel and the other holds low lead fuel.

The shed contained two drums of test fuel from each of the big tanks.

The airport was evacuated while the fire was extinguished by firefighters. No injuries were reported.

The airport is located between North Keene Road and Hercules Avenue just north of Drew Street.

Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant Evacuated Due To Strong Chlorine Smell Made the Worker's Eyes Burning



DETROIT, MI (WWJ)

A Detroit wastewater treatment plant was evacuated for about an hour and-a-half, early Wednesday morning, after workers said a strong chlorine smell left their eyes burning.

Workers at Pump Station called 911, said Detroit Water and Sewerage Department spokesman Greg Eno, and HAZMAT crews discovered a white substance in a collection basin.

They’ve taken a sample to determine what the substance is.

“There’s still an ongoing investigation about how this happened; and, of course, once we find out how it happened the next step, of course, would be to take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Eno said the water is safe to drink.

“It’s nothing pervasive and I don’t think it’s necessarily a symptom of something that’s seriously wrong,” Eno added. “This things happen, and accidents happen, and we’re just trying find out what happened.”

No illnesses or injuries were reported.

Firefighters Still Fighting Massive Fire at Carolina's Recycling in Charlotte, NC



UPDATE: As of 10 a.m, Thursday morning, approximately 40 firefighters and support personnel where still on the scene battling the fire at Caraustar-Carolina recycling plant. On scene personnel continue to douse recycled materials with water to ensure the fire is out and will not rekindle. Police and Red Cross remain on the scene.

CHARLOTTE, NC -- A massive fire at Carolina's Recycling in Charlotte is still burning Wednesday night, seven hours after the first 911 call came in to dispatchers.

Families were still without electricity and Rozzell's Ferry road is blocked off at certain streets beginning at Gardner.
 
Firefighters disappeared in smoke, walking toward the interior of the fire.
 
"Very scary!" said Shirley Rose.
 
Rose rushed to pick up her grandchildren at a daycare a block from the burning recycling center.
 
Duke Energy cut power to keep electrical lines from sparking overhead while crews continued putting out the fire. The city cut resident's water for at least four hours to give more than 150 firefighters more pressure to battle the flames.
 
"It's scary," said daycare owner Sandra Littlejohn. "Not only to I have children to look after, I have employees, I have staff to look out for."
 
As temperatures rose close to 100 degrees, Charlotte fire was forced to raise the threat level to a five alarm fire in order to call out more crews to rotate heat exhausted firefighters out of the flames.
 
"We don't ever want to see any of our firemen who try to take care of us hurt," said onlooker Josh Cribb. "It's always a concern. They're out here risking their life for us."
 
Cribb watched as medics pulled in, giving as many as ten firefighters at a time IV fluids. One was hospitalized and released. 
 
City buses gave firefighters air conditioned relief from the heat.
 
Deputy Chief Pete Key says the fire is likely accidental.
 
"One of the machineries created a spark from the surface of the asphalt and ignited the cardboard," said Deputy Chief Key. 
 
Residents say this is the second fire at the plant in two months.
 
"Now, here it is, back up again," said Rose. "I mean, it's absolutely horrible."
 
Carolina's Recycling would normally sell the cardboard bundles. Investigators say it's not clear how much they lost in the fire. 

Tulsa Airport control tower evacuated after solvent fumes escape


TIA: Some flights were delayed before the tower could get back to normal operations


Tulsa International Airport control tower
Fox23 
 
 
JUNE 25, 2015
 
TULSA, OK
 
Tulsa International Airport control tower evacuated when solvent fumes escaped.

Fumes from a solvent used by a contractor forces the Tulsa International Airport control tower to be evacuated.

No one was taken to the hospital after the incident on Wednesday.

Air traffic controllers in Kansas took over after the fumes made some employees sick.

We're told some flights were delayed before the tower could get back to normal operations.

2 workers injured after small explosion at Flagler County, Florida fireworks manufacturer, Santore Fireworks


 

JUNE 26, 2015

FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA

Two employees suffered minor injuries Friday morning in a small explosion at a western Flagler County fireworks manufacturer.

The explosion was reported just before 9 a.m. at Santore Fireworks’ 150-square-foot building on County Road 304.

The building houses a machine that presses gunpowder into pellets.

“When something like that happens, your adrenaline pumps and your heart races,” Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito said. “They are fine. We didn’t have to transport them to the hospital. They are staying at work.”

Firefighter-paramedics arrived within minutes and extinguished the small fire.

“When they are pressing the powder it starts cold, but heats up in the process, and there was an unusual reaction,” Petito said.

Operations at the manufacturing site will continue as normal as they prepare for Independence Day and other events throughout the year.

20 MILLION BEES SLAUGHTERED BY LETHAL FOAM ON IDAHO HIGHWAY AFTER RECKLESS TRUCK DRIVER CRASHES THE TRUCK CONTAINING 408 BEEHIVES



























JUNE 25, 2015

HOWE, IDAHO

An estimated 20 million bees are or will soon be dead following a semi-truck crash on State Highway 33 near Howe Thursday morning. 

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2005 Freightliner swerved off the road at milepost 8 south of Howe at 8:01 a.m. The semi-truck was carrying 408 beehives, each carrying 50,000 bees. 

The bees, owned by KatieBee Honey in Meridian, were being transported to North Dakota to make honey. 

“They went off the east side of the northbound lane,” Sheriff Wes Collins said. “The truck and trailer tipped over on its passenger side and then righted itself and continued for approximately 75 yards before it came to rest out in the Sagebrush.”

It is still unclear why the driver of the truck swerved, officials said.

The beehives were completely destroyed when the flatbed trailer tipped, releasing millions of bees alongside the highway. 

The driver of the truck, Rolondo Aparicio of Florida, was uninjured, and took off running down the highway after the accident occurred, Collins said.

KatieBee Honey owner Brian Wiggins said it is a complete loss. 

“There is really no saving them when it is this bad,” Wiggins said. “All the bees that escaped will be dead by tomorrow, because they can’t live without their colonies.”

The remaining bees at the crash site were killed with foam by Idaho National Laboratory emergency responders. 

The crash occurred near INL.

“If they weren’t killed they’d continue to be a hazard, especially for motorcyclists,” Collins said.
Source: http://www.eastidahonews.com

2,500 gallons of fuel spill, driver injured when tanker truck overturns in Poolesville, MD




 JUNE 25, 2015

POOLESVILLE,MD (WUSA9)

A driver was pinned inside his truck after it overturned at Club Hollow Road and Elmer School Road in Poolesville. Once crews managed to extricate him, he was flown to the hospital. We are told the driver suffered serious injuries.

The truck also leaked 2500 gallons of diesel fuel, some of it into a creek, according to Montgomery County fire officials.

Crews have contained the hazmat incident.

Club Hollow Rd is closed between Edwards Ferry Road and Elmer School Road.

Crane operator electroshocked as truck-mounted crane hits high-voltage power lines, bursts into flames in Seattle








Man blown into air as crane hits power lines, bursts into flames
Firefighters respond to the scene of the crane fire.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
 
A crane operator was blown out of his seat and nearby homes were evacuated after a truck-mounted crane hit high-voltage power lines and burst into flames Thursday morning in West Seattle.

Firefighters responded to the scene, in the 4700 block of SW Andover Street, at about 8:20 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of a crane fire.

The plume of smoke from the fire could be clearly seen from Queen Anne and other Seattle vantage points as it flared up.

When crews arrived, flames were shooting 15 to 20 feet into the air, and the fire had spread from the crane to a nearby fence.

All homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution as firefighters doused the flames with foam and dodged live high-voltage lines that surrounded the crane.

Fire officials said the crane operator was installing trusses in a residential structure when his boom hit 26,000-volt power lines. The surge of electricity traveled through the boom, igniting the crane’s tires and then the crane itself.

The operator was blown out of his seat and off the rig. Medics evaluated him but he did not suffer any burns or any visible injuries.

No one else was injured.