MEC&F Expert Engineers : 07/12/17

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

DRUNK DRIVER BITES THE DUST: 30-year-old Andrew T. Brunsman, of Centerville, Ohio killed when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 and crashed into a tanker truck full of gasoline had alcohol and marijuana in his system.




DAYTON, Ohio — A coroner’s office says a driver killed when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 and crashed into a tanker truck full of gasoline had alcohol and marijuana in his system.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office says 30-year-old Andrew T. Brunsman, of Centerville, died from multiple blunt force injuries in the April 30 crash.

Police have said Brunsman was driving the wrong way when he collided with the truck, which exploded. The truck driver suffered a dislocated shoulder in the accident.

The explosion sent smoke and flames into the air above downtown Dayton for hours, causing damage to pavement on the highway and a fire in the storm sewer system. No other injuries were reported


A third vehicle was damaged by debris from the crash.



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DAYTON, Ohio -- One person is dead after a wrong-way crash caused a gasoline tanker to explode on Interstate 75 near Dayton, WHIO reported.

A driver going the wrong direction on I-75 collided with a gasoline tanker carrying thousands of gallons of fuel at about 4:40 p.m. The gasoline tanker truck burned for hours, police said, and I-75 was closed in both directions for several hours.

Part of the interstate remains closed until further notice, authorities said.

The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries, and he is cooperating as officials investigate. 





Here is this drunk moron's obituary:


In Memory of
Andrew T. Brunsman
February 3, 1987 - April 30, 2017

Obituary
BRUNSMAN, Andrew T. age 30 of Beavercreek passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017. Andrew was born February 3, 1987 to Thomas and Sandra Brunsman. He grew up developing a love for music from his mother and a love for sports from his father and a love for God from his whole extended family.

He learned to play guitar while attending Beavercreek High School, graduating in 2005. His legacy from his years in school is his many dear friends.

He grew up rooting for the Buckeyes and any professional Cleveland team, although he had a general love for every sport and could hold his own in every conversation. He could often be seen with various friends and family at concerts of all genres and sporting events of various kinds. He even played his guitar on the worship team at First Church of Christ in Fairborn.

In between concerts and sporting events, Andrew earned a degree in economics at Wright State University, worked at Lowes in Beavercreek for several years prior to his current employment at Reynolds and Reynolds. He continued to leave a wake of friends in his path of life.

While working at Lowes, he was introduced to the love of his life, Alejandra, and his second family, the Davilas. He and Alejandra soon were doing everything together, from playing tennis to making dessert to simply picnicking in a park. They were married March 12, 2016. Their adventure together was full of life, love and laughter.



a bad year for fatalities in Macon-Bibb just got worse: 39-year-old Gerard Thompson of Palmetto Georgia charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving when Thompson who was driving a tractor trailer, didn’t slow down on I-16. He hit a pickup truck, which hit a small car and all three caught on fire. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and one later died at Navicent Health.








MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – UPDATE: Two of the three who died in the accident have been identified. Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones says 81-year-old Marjorie Jones, of Dublin, and 84-year-old Robert Day, of Vidalia, were the two identified. The third victim has not yet been identified.

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UPDATE: The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has charged 39-year-old Gerard Thompson of Palmetto Georgia with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving.

According to a report, cars were slowing down, some even coming to a stop traveling Westbound on I-16, when Thompson who was driving a tractor trailer, didn’t slow down. He hit a pickup truck, which hit a small car and all three caught on fire. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and one later died at Navicent Health.

A total of nine vehicles were involved in the accident.

There is no information on the pickup or small car.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Coroner Leon Jones says a bad year for fatalities in Macon-Bibb just got worse.

Seven vehicles were involved in a massive accident earlier this evening on I-16 East that has left 3 people confirmed dead so far.

Authorities got a call a little after 5:30 P.M. about the accident that happened between the downtown Macon and Ocmulgee East exits.

Jones says an 18 wheeler involved and two other vehicles had the most damage.

“Three vehicles are burned beyond recognition. That’s an 18-wheeler that ran on top of a pick up truck and a small vehicle. All three of those vehicles were burned beyond recognition.”

Jones says they’re not certain on what caused the accident yet, but that it’ll be some time before they have the answer.

Three of the people involved died on the scene while three others were rushed to Navicent Health Hospital in critical condition. One of those three died at the hospital.


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Three people are dead and a truck driver is in Bibb County jail following a wreck on Interstate 16 in Macon Tuesday night.

The accident happened in the westbound lanes near exit 6.

Killed in the crash were Marjorie Jones, 81, of Dublin, Robert Day, 84, of Vidalia and third victim who has not yet been identified, according to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones.

The tractor trailer driver, Gerard Thompson, 49, of Palmetto has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving, according to a Bibb County Sheriff's Office news release.




Gerard Thompson (Photo: Wade, Jakie)

Thompson reportedly hit a pickup truck, which caused the truck to hit a smaller vehicle. All three of those vehicles caught on fire, according to Bibb County Sheriff's Sgt. Linda Howard.

According to Coroner Leon Jones, the two identified victims, Jones and Day, are connected to Greater New Friendship Baptist Church. Jones was riding in the church's van and Day was in a separate vehicle.

They were headed to a service in Macon.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power still investigating cause of transformer explosion that left 140,000 Valley customers without power





Pope was enjoying a performance of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” at the Hollywood Bowl Saturday night when he started getting texts from his friends about the power outage.

When the Porter Ranch resident got home at 11:30 p.m., it was 86 degrees and he could hear his neighbors’ generators humming. Power was out all night, and Pope said he didn’t get much sleep because of the heat.

“It was just a nasty night for a lot of people in the Valley,” he said.



Hazmat workers try to clean a storm drain that received thousands of gallons of mineral oil, a coolant for transformers, after an explosion at a DWP station in Northridge. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Pope was among 140,000 customers in the San Fernando Valley who lost power after an explosion at a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power plant in Northridge caused a fire that burned for hours, knocking out traffic lights and stranding people in elevators.

The outages hit businesses and residents in Northridge, Winnetka, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Tarzana, North Hills, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills, Canoga Park and Woodland Hills, DWP officials said.

The loss of power came at the peak of a heat wave that pushed temperatures to 100 degrees in many parts of the Valley. Woodland Hills reported a temperature of 110 while Lake Balboa hit 107 on Saturday afternoon. Downtown Los Angeles hit a record high of 98 degrees.

By 11 p.m. Saturday, 94,000 were still without power, officials said. The agency was able to restore power to those remaining customers by 8 a.m. Sunday.

DWP spokesman Michael Ventre did not have details on where Saturday’s power loss ranks in recent years, but noted “it’s a significant outage.”

It remains unclear whether the blast was related to heavy demand due to the heat wave. But it was another illustration of the city's delicate infrastructure, which has manifested itself in epic bursts of aging water works and crumbling sidewalks and streets.



A Clean Harbors hazmat official, left, and a Department of Water and Power employee look over a canal of mineral oil that came from an explosion at the DWP's Receiving Station J in the 18900 block of Parthenia Street in Northridge. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Residents of an apartment complex near the DWP plant on Parthenia Street in Northridge reported hearing an explosion at the plant just before 7 p.m. Saturday, and firefighters arrived to find a gigantic vat with as much as 60,000 gallons of mineral oil — used as a cooling agent for electrical equipment — on fire, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Humphrey said dozens of firefighters extinguished the flames with water and foam by 9 p.m. “These were fierce flames, with smoke towering more than 300 feet into the sky,” Humphrey said.

No one was injured. He said mechanical failure related to cooling equipment might have caused the explosion, though the investigation continues.

Workers could be seen inspecting the blackened transformer Sunday. The transformer yard is fenced off from the public.

Humphrey said firefighters rescued dozens of people who were stranded in elevators in buildings around the Valley.



A Department of Water and Power employee checks on transformers the day after an explosion at the Parthenia Street facility in Northridge. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Officials estimate that between 10,000 and 20,000 gallons of mineral oil were released during the explosion, said Nosa Omoruyi, a hazardous materials specialist with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Water used to douse the fire carried oil into storm drains, and officials want to make sure the drains are cleaned of any oil, Omoruyi said.

Power was shut off at the DWP plant to allow firefighters to fight the blaze.

Receiving Station J was built in the 1950s to serve the growing industrial area in the northwest valley, according to the Center for Land Use Interpretation. It’s one of 21 receiving stations in the DWP network that act as a bridge between power plants and local distribution, according to agency figures. High-voltage power lines enter the grid at these stations, where the voltage is reduced and eventually sent to customers.

As residents switch on air conditioners to deal with the sweltering July heat, it means the region draws more power, said Rajit Gadh, engineering professor at UCLA. Substations used to transfer that energy require cooling or they can become overheated.

“When temperatures rise that much, then lots of things can potentially go wrong, including the electric grid,” Gadh said.

Power was out for 13 hours at Pacifica Senior Living, an assisted senior living facility in Northridge. Staffers handed out wet towels and water, and a generator kept emergency lights running in the hallways, but residents’ rooms remained dark, without air conditioning.

“It was a bit rough,” said Cristina Gutierrez, the facility’s executive director. She sent staffers to Target Saturday night to buy lanterns for residents shortly after the power went out at 7 p.m. Residents also gathered in the main entrance hall to keep cool.



"It was a bit rough," Cristina Gutierrez, executive director at Pacifica Senior Living, said of the power outage. Seniors had no electricity for 13 hours. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

No staffer at Pacifica could recall another time when the facility’s power was out for 13 hours, Gutierrez said. Power was restored about 8 a.m. Sunday morning, she said.

Northridge Hospital Medical Center lost power Saturday night, and backup generators immediately kicked on until electricity was restored Sunday morning, hospital spokeswoman Christina Zicklin said. Dozens of fans and emergency lighting were used, and medical officials diverted emergency runs to nearby hospitals, she said.

“Our patients were not affected other than getting a little warm,” Zicklin said.

James Kostrach, 63, was having a quiet Saturday cleaning his backyard when suddenly the area sounded like a war zone, he said.

“I heard ‘blam!’’’ said Kostrach, who lives in a small house just behind the transformer yard in Northridge.

The noise drew him toward the DWP yard, where he saw a big plume of smoke and flames. He’s heard similar noises from the yard before, but nothing as loud as what occurred Saturday.“I knew that there wasn’t going to be electricity,” Kostrach said.




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Power was restored Sunday to the approximately 94,000 customers in the San Fernando Valley who had been in the dark overnight.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported that power had been restored sometime between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The affected areas were in Northridge, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Tarzana, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills and Canoga Park.

They were a part of an outage that originally left 140,000 Valley customers without electricity, following a fire and explosions at a DWP power plant in Northridge.

"Crews continue assessing damage at Receiving Station J and will make permanent repairs," according to a DWP statement.

SFV Residents Reflect on Preparedness After Power Outage
A large power outage in the San Fernando Valley got people thinking about how prepared they are for emergencies. Marin Austin reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2017.(Published Sunday, July 9, 2017)

The flames and blasts were reported at 6:53 p.m. Saturday at DWP's Receiving Station J in the 18900 block of Parthenia Street, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Most of the flames were doused within two hours, DWP spokesman Michael Ventre said.

The fire was in an energized storage vault with 50,000 to 60,000 gallons of mineral oil, Humphrey said.

Eighty-four firefighters let the flames burn while DWP workers de- energized the facility, then they put water and foam on the fire, Humphrey said. They did not want to cause more damage by putting water on the flames while the plant was energized.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters had the bulk of flames out in two hours but were expected to remain on the scene into the morning to watch for flare-ups, Humphrey said.

Power Restored After LADWP Explosion
Power was restored to about 94,000 San Fernando Valley residents after a transformer exploded at a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power station. Jane Yamamoto reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2017.(Published Sunday, July 9, 2017)

Widespread power outages were reported as a result of the fire, but Ventre said power was restored to nearly 50,000 customers at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Only one part of the facility was damaged, but the entire plant had to be de-energized, the DWP said. Undamaged portions were to be re-energized once the situation stabilized.

Decatur, AL police and fire departments are investigating a house fire on Brandywine Lane Southeast that began Tuesday after someone burned toilet paper hanging in a tree


DECATUR, AL

Decatur, AL police and fire departments are investigating a house fire on Brandywine Lane Southeast that began Tuesday after someone burned toilet paper hanging in a tree, officials said.


Decatur Fire Chief Tony Grande said someone ignited toilet paper in effort to remove it from the tree, but the burning toilet paper blew onto the roof of the house at 1240 Brandywine Lane S.E.


It appeared the tree had been "rolled" with toilet paper as a prank, he said.


“The wind caught the burning toilet paper, it got on the roof and it burned into the house,” he said.


Grande was unsure if a resident of the home or a visiting family member started the fire.


The house has significant damage as the fire burned through the roof and into the attic, he said.


Investigators were on the scene of the fire late Tuesday afternoon to determine the cause of the fire, he said. The fire was reported just after 1 p.m., he said.


There were no injuries, although Battalion Chief Dusty Cheatham said two dogs were rescued from the residence.


One firefighter was transported to the hospital for heat exhaustion but is recovering well, Grande said.


Firefighters left the scene around 4 p.m., he said.

A lightning strike is suspected of causing an apartment fire in Perrysburg, Ohio




A lightning strike is suspected of causing an apartment fire in Perrysburg early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters from Perrysburg, Perrysburg Township, and Rossford responded to a 6:15 a.m. fire call in the 300 block of Portside Circle at the Perry’s Crossing apartments, north of State Rte. 795.

There were heavy thunderstorms in the area at the time, and one resident reported hearing a loud boom and seeing a bright flash moments before the fire was observed.

Residents of four units were evacuated because of smoke, but firefighters at the scene said the fire was mostly contained to the outside of the building, indicating the likelihood of a lightning strike, although no official cause has been determined.

Members of the Red Cross will assist the families displaced by the fire.




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PERRYSBURG, OH (WTOL) -

Crews were on the scene of an apartment fire in Perrysburg Wednesday morning.

The fire occurred at Perry's Crossing Apartment Complex located off of State Route 795 around 6 a.m.

Officials say the outside of the apartments suffered extensive damage, while four apartments were damaged by smoke.

Everyone in the apartment complex was evacuated while crews fought the blaze.

No one was injured.

Tahra Buck lives in the apartment where the fire started, and said everyone is just lucky to be alive.

"You know, we're all alive. That's the best thing, and it didn't travel more than the two apartments. So as long as we're all alive, that's all that really matters," said Buck.

Officials believe lightning was the cause of the fire.

All residents were allowed back in their apartments except for the four apartments that suffered smoke damage.

The Red Cross is on the way to the scene to assist the residents of those four apartments.


The Peak 2 Fire near Breckenridge, Colorado was human-caused; looking for two people seen hiking on the Colorado Trail above Miners Creek Road junction








DILLON, Colo. — Humans caused the fire that burned not far from towns like Breckenridge in Summit County, causing concern and evacuations, investigators said Tuesday.

Authorities say they're looking for two people who were seen hiking on the Colorado Trail above Miners Creek Road junction at about 11 a.m. on July 5.

"After fire conditions moderated and it was safe to enter the area, fire investigators examined the point of origin and determined the Peak 2 Fire was human-caused," Dillon District Ranger Kevin Warner said.

Firefighters say they have combated the fire to the point that it is 85 percent contained, and they will likely let the fire peter out on its own from this point due to the dangers of the perimeter where it is not yet contained.

But resources have so far cost about $2.1 million, officials said Tuesday.

The fire began on July 5, prompting the evacuation of a nearby town that wasn't lifted until the weekend. Although it only burned 84 acres, the proximity to towns caused concern and brought in more than 400 firefighters and the Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team.

That team and many of the firefighters are disbanding now that the fire is under control, but efforts by police and rangers to investigate and determine who started the fire are only just beginning.

Police say anybody who has information that will help identify the two people who were seen near the fire is asked to call police at (970) 262-3486.

"This information is important in helping us determine the cause of the Peak 2 Fire," Warner said. "We appreciate any information the public can provide about these individuals."

And residents forced to evacuate aren't happy that the fire was caused by people.

"Being evacuated with three kids and two dogs is not easy," said Maghan Niemkiewicz, a resident of the Peak 7 neighborhood that was evacuated. "Not knowing if your house is going to be there when you get home--the first day, we weren't really sure when we were leaving what was happening."

She said it was "frustrating" that people caused the fire.

"It makes me angry that somebody could've been irresponsible," she said. "Luckily there was no loss of life, no injuries that I'm aware of, nobody lost their homes. But it's very frustrating when people don't respect the forest." 




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By The Summit Daily


UPDATED: July 12, 2017 at 12:24 am


The Peak 2 Fire near Breckenridge was human-caused, according to U.S. Forest Service investigators who now are trying to identify two people seen hiking on the Colorado Trail above Miners Creek Road junction at around 11 a.m. on July 5.

“After fire conditions moderated and it was safe to enter the area, fire investigators examined the point of origin and determined the Peak 2 Fire was human-caused,” acting Dillon District Ranger Kevin Warner said in a news release Tuesday. “This information is important in helping us determine the cause of the Peak 2 Fire. We appreciate any information the public can provide about these individuals.”

Reached by phone, Warner said he could not provide any additional detail due to the sensitive nature of the open investigation. He said that all ignition possibilities other than human activity had been ruled out.

Officials urge members of the public with information that might help identify the two individuals to call 970-262-3486 and leave a message with their name, return phone number and a brief summary of the information they can provide.

The Peak 2 fire started on July 5 about two miles north of Breckenridge, quickly growing to 84 acres and prompting a two-day evacuation of more than 450 homes in the Peak 7 area. So far, officials estimate the response has cost around $2 million and counting.

A city of Decatur, Illinois worker suffered a hand injury when a large firework exploded while he was cleaning up a city property


City worker seriously hurt by firework



Posted: Jul 12, 2017 12:15 PM EST
By: Joe Astrouski



DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- Police are investigating how a city worker was seriously injured Wednesday morning after a firework exploded.

People who live in the area of 27th and East Main say they heard a loud “boom,” came outside and saw a man who appeared injured in a fenced-in area of city property. One neighbor said the man appeared to have a hurt hand.

Police at the scene late Wednesday morning said the city worker was seriously injured when a large firework exploded while he was cleaning up in the area. The worker was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Decatur Battalion Chief said the firework "was not a little fire cracker." The Illinois State Fire Marshal said they are investigating how the firework got in the area and how it exploded.

Tuesday afternoon, a WAND photographer reported seeing a vehicle marked "Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad" at the scene, along with officers wearing clothing marked ATF.



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DECATUR, IL— A city of Decatur worker was injured Wednesday morning after an accident involving a firecracker, the Decatur Fire Department said.


Battalion Chief Todd McKenzie said the incident happened within a fenced city property in the 2800 block of East Main Street.


McKenzie said at about 10:10 a.m., firefighters at Fire Station 2, located nearby at 2707 E. William St., heard an explosion in the area.


Soon after, other city workers came over from the scene and asked the firefighters for help, McKenzie said. McKenzie said fire crews and police were then dispatched to the area.


McKenzie said the worker suffered a hand injury and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He also said police are currently investigating the incident.


Firecrackers head coach, Jason Clark, 39, killed, his wife and daughter injured in a boat collision accident on Lake Conroe, Texas

CONROE, Texas (KTRK) -- A boat heading into shore on Lake Conroe collided with another vessel, leaving a father dead and his wife and 10-year-old daughter injured.

Authorities said 39-year-old Jason Clark of Magnolia died at the scene after the crash, which happened off the coast near North Diamondhead Road. A call of the incident came in at 9:22 p.m. Tuesday.

According to Montgomery County Judge Wayne Mack, who was on the scene, both vessels were moving at the time of the collision. It's unclear how fast they were going.

Clark was sitting at the steering wheel of his boat and was directly hit, resulting in critical injuries. He later died at the scene. His wife and daughter on the same vessel were also injured and taken to Conroe Regional Trauma Center. The woman was admitted and remains in critical condition, while the child was treated and released.

The impact of the crash caused the bass boat to roll over and eject the fishermen in the other vessel, who were later pulled from the water. The pair were wearing life jackets and escaped major injury, officials said.

Game wardens performed a field sobriety test on the fishermen, but they did not appear impaired, authorities said.

Investigators said both boats had the proper marker lights illuminated at the time. Officials added while the boats were lit in accordance with law, the amount of lights on the lake makes it hard to tell between boats and homes.

"It's very difficult to see moving watercraft across that lake because across the horizon, especially in a busy creek like that, you see all kinds of other lighting," Mack said.

Texas Parks and Wildlife crash reconstructionists, who specialize in boat crashes, are leading the investigation. Right now, no one has been charged.


We are brokenhearted to hear of the death of Firecrackers head coach, Jason Clark. Coach Clark was involved in a tragic boating accident on Lake Conroe. His wife and daughter were also on board. Thankfully, his daughter was unharmed. Unfortunately, his wife Sara is in critical condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Clark and Firecracker family. May healing and peace be with them all.
===========================




LAKE CONROE, Texas (KTRK) -- A boat heading into shore on Lake Conroe collided with another vessel, leaving a man dead and a woman and girl injured.

Authorities said a 39-year-old man died at the scene after the crash just off North Diamondhead Road. A call of the incident came in at 9:22 p.m. Tuesday.

According to officials, two fishermen on a bass boat were heading to the shore when it hit another boat with a woman, man and a 12-year-old girl on board.

The bass boat struck the center of the other vessel, hitting the 39-year-old man who was sitting at the steering console.

The bass boat continued to travel before rolling over and ejecting the fishermen.

The man on the other vessel sustained critical injuries at the scene. He later died. The woman and the girl were taken to Conroe Regional Trauma Center. The woman sustained critical injuries, while the girl had minor injuries.

The fishermen were pulled out of the water and not seriously injured. They were given a field sobriety test, but did not appear impaired, authorities said.


An investigation is underway into the crash.



While no one can doubt its serenity, what most people don’t know is Lake Conroe, which covers approximately 21,000 acres, is now considered the deadliest lake in Texas. According to KBTX, four boating-related have already occurred so far this year, which has made this lake the deadliest lake in Texas since 2000. Looking at the years 2000 until 2015, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has showcased that 22 individuals have died.

The next of the deadliest lakes in Texas are Lake Travis, which is northwest of Austin, as well as Lake Lewisville, in the Dallas area, both of which combine to have 17 boating-related deaths since 2000. Coming in fourth is Lake Palestine, in East Texas, with 16 overall deaths.

Overall, since 2000 the state of Texas has seen approximately 53 boating fatalities, and of those, 21 individuals were killed in 2014. As the above information works to show, there have been substantial fatalities in many Texas lakes, but a notable concentration in Lake Conroe. While it is imperative to keep in mind safety measure at each of these lakes, special consideration should be made for this lake in particular.

The report also indicates that these figures represent a rise in the number of overall deaths, even though there has also been an increased number of law enforcement on site, as well as resources surrounding boat education. However, the report does indicate that many of the deaths have involved alcohol.

In order to combat the issues of boating-related deaths in the area, Montgomery County is ramping its patrol efforts. The first step is to tackle the patrol vessels themselves, by replacing the engines on these boats in order for the Precinct 1 Constable’s office to be more proactive when the largest boating activity will be seen within the coming months. Reports indicate that these new engines will cost $26,000, which breaks down to $24,700 for the engines and $500 in order to install the engines.

The previous engines lasted approximately 4,000 hours spanning eight years of service, which is an impressive feat. With this in mind, it is projected that these new engines will last even longer. In addition to the new engines, combating the issue also includes focusing on boating safety by creating more patrols, increasing the Precinct 1 budget, additional equipment upgrades, and more safety checks on the boats that utilize the lake. These checks include ensuring life-preserving devices, lights, whistles, and fire extinguishers are all on board. To this extent, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, approximately 70% of all boating accident deaths could have been prevented if the proper life saving equipment, as such as those mentioned previously, had been on board.

With the  summer months upon us, patrol units and law enforcement alike are predicting a higher rate of boating. While this activity is a favorite past time of many, it is equally imperative to consider the safety measures that should be put into place in order to combat the title of the deadliest lake in Texas.

A construction worker died when a trench collapsed at a Prince George's County work site.




WASHINGTON, DC — A utility worker died Wednesday morning after he became trapped up to his chest in a trench in Prince George’s County.

The man, a contractor for Sagres Construction, was performing work at the scene of a water main replacement project on Neptune Avenue, officials with Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission said.

WSSC called it an apparent trench collapse.

Firefighters were called to the scene about 10 a.m. and found the man in a trench that was about 3 feet wide, Prince George’s County police said.

The man died on the scene. His name has not been released.

County police and state safety officials are investigating.



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OXON HILL, Md. - A construction worker died when a trench collapsed at a Prince George's County work site.

The accident happened around 10 a.m. in the 700 block of Neptune Avenue in Oxon Hill.

Officials say the victim was an adult male who was killed while performing utility work on a roadway. The county’s Tech Rescue Team was trying to free the man after he became trapped up to his chest in the trench.

The worker was pronounced dead on the scene shortly after 10 a.m.

A cause of the accident has not yet been determined. The identity of the worker has not yet been released.

Neptune Avenue, between Kenmont Road and Dunster Drive, will remained closed as crews work to recover the body.


Worker is in critical condition after he was shocked and fell 3 stories from scaffolding in Philadelphia, PA


KENSINGTON, Phila., PA (WPVI) --

A man is in critical condition after being shocked and then falling three stories from scaffolding in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

The incident happened shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday on the 2300 block of Emerald Street.

Officials say a 27-year-old man was reaching for a tool, but grabbed an electrical wire instead.

This caused him to be thrown from the scaffold.

The man was conscious and transported to Temple University Hospital.



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KENSINGTON, Phila., PA
 
27-year-old man was reported in critical condition after being shocked by an electrical wire, then falling off a three-story scaffold in the city’s Kensington section on Wednesday morning, a Fire Department spokesman said.


It was about 9 a.m. when the man, who was on the 2300 block of Emerald Street, was apparently reaching for a tool but instead grabbed an electrical wire, which caused him to fall from the scaffold, Fire Capt. William Dixon said.

Medics who went to the scene found the man face down, but conscious, Dixon said. He said the man was taken in critical condition to a nearby hospital.

SO MANY CRAZIES AMONG US: 63-year-old Jesus Esquivel shot and killed AAA employee Magdiel Hernandez, 38, because he was upset about a late AAA service call in Miami, Florida










Police made an arrest in the deadly shooting of an employee for AAA was shot during an altercation in a Kendall neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.

Miami-Dade Police say that 63-year-old Jesus Esquivel admitted to opening fire on Magdiel Hernandez, 38, after he responded to a service call in the area of Southwest 99th Street and 87th Court.

According to the arrest report, Esquivel got into an argument on the phone with another driver over the time it was taking for a response to his call. Esquivel allegedly made threats to that driver, who called his bosses and asked for another driver to be sent out.

At that point, the company sent Hernandez to the call. When he arrived, Esquivel opened fire and hit Hernandez several times in the torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

AAA Employee Shot and Killed in Kendall, 1 in Custody


An employee for AAA died after a shooting in a Kendall neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, family told NBC 6.(Published Tuesday, July 11, 2017)

Hernandez worked for AAA for 10 years, family members said.

"He's a very good guy, good service-minded individual, has been working doing this for years," said the victim's friend, Roberto Flavio.

Esquivel was taken to the hospital for medical attention and later released into police custody to be interviewed, where he admitted to the crime.


"It's unbelievable for something so small to be so big...how it happened," said Victor Cazanas, the victim's friend.

AAA released a statement in regards to Hernandez's death:

"We are profoundly saddened by this tragic incident that took place today. On behalf of all of us at AAA, our heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends during this most difficult time. Eliminating deaths and injuries on our roadways are top priorities for AAA. This incident was reported to the police who have begun an investigation. AAA will cooperate fully with any all police investigations."


Here is the infor posted on this unlucky AAA employee, Magdiel Hernandez:

Intro
  • Works at AAA
  • Studied at Universidad Americana UAM
  • Went to Página de Exalumnos del Colegio Bautista de Masaya
  • Lives in Pinecrest, Florida
  • From Masaya
Hopefully this crazy killer,  63-year-old Jesus Esquivel, will never the outside world again.

The crazy killer, 63-year-old Jesus Esquivel===============

AAA Roadside Employee Killed During Kendall Service Call

Police identified the victim as 38-year-old Magdiel Hernandez of Pinecrest.



By Paul Scicchitano (Patch Staff) - Updated July 11, 2017 10:56 pm ET

 

KENDALL, FL — An employee of AAA Roadside Assistance was shot to death on Tuesday afternoon after an apparent quarrel during a service call. Police said that 38-year-old Magdiel Hernandez of Pinecrest was called to a residence where he was shot at 3:18 p.m. The shooting occurred in the 9900 block of SW 87th Court.

"According to investigators, shortly after 3 p.m., uniform officers responded to a 9-1-1 call of a male shot," explained Detective Argemis Colome of the Miami-Dade Police Department. "Officers arrived on scene and discovered the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, they made contact with a second male on the scene who was uncooperative and requested to be transported to the hospital." 


Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced the victim dead on the scene. The suspect was described as being in his 60s.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that a verbal altercation ensued between the two males resulting in the fatal shooting," Colome explained.

Police said that the second male was taken to Baptist Hospital, but they would not immediately disclose his involvement. "The second man was uncooperative with police and requested to be transported to the hospital, which was done by Rescue," Colome added.

This is a developing story. Patch will provide additional information as it becomes available.


To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.



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Cops charge man who requested AAA with killing worker sent to assist him



By Alexandria Bordas and Charles Rabin

crabin@miamiherald.com


When Jesus Esquivel was told Tuesday afternoon that the battery he needed for his 2003 Cadillac Escalade wasn’t available, the Kendall resident exploded, shouting expletives at the American Automobile Association employee on the other end of the phone line.

The worker transferred the call back to dispatch, which sent another driver to help the 63-year-old fix his car. A short while later that driver, Pinecrest resident Magdiel Hernandez, a hard-working, 38-year-old churchgoer with a fiancée and a few family members in South Florida, was dead, shot as many as seven times, said his uncle Roberto Flavio.

“Me and his siblings are his closest relatives here. We rely on each other. It’s almost too surreal right now to process this loss when it so easily could have been his co-worker,” Flavio said while standing outside of Esquivel’s Kendall home. “It’s so sad. I’m just getting ready to be the one to console my family.”


Esquivel requested and was taken to Baptist Hospital after the shooting. Early Wednesday, police arrested and charged him with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.


Magdiel Hernandez, who was shot and killed as he answered a call for the American Automobile Association (AAA) in Kendall on Tuesday afternoon, July 11, 2017, his family said. Via Facebook.


“We received a 911 call that two males were involved in a verbal altercation. One man was shot several times and was announced deceased on the scene. The other individual involved in the altercation requested to be transported to a nearby hospital,” said Miami-Dade police Detective Argemis Colome.

Colome said Esquivel, at least early on, was not cooperative with police. He also wouldn’t say how many times Hernandez was shot. Esquivel’s arrest affidavit says he also became irate because of the length of time it took for AAA to arrive at his home.

Flavio said the argument between the two men began early Tuesday afternoon when AAA received a call from Esquivel, who said he needed a battery for his beige Escalade. When he was told one wasn’t available, Flavio said that Esquivel yelled, “I will kick your ass and you better not show up at my house” to the AAA employee.

Flavio said he learned what happened from Hernandez’s brother and his co-worker who was cussed out on the phone, both of whom work for AAA. Flavio said after Esquivel stopped cussing, the call was transferred to Hernandez, who went to the tree-lined home at 9955 SW 87th Ct.


Three persons talk at the scene at 9955 SW 87th Ct. where a man on call for AAA was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon, July 11, 2017, the man’s family said. Police have not identified the victim, although a man who said he was the victim’s uncle identified his nephew as Magdiel Hernandez.
Patrick Farrell pafrrell@miamiherald.com

Police said it was 3:18 p.m when they received a call of an argument and shooting at the home. When they arrived they found Hernandez dead and quickly detained Esquivel, who put up a brief fight while being placed in a patrol car. In the car, Esquivel demanded to be taken to the hospital.

“We got him the medical attention and he was transported and one of our detectives followed [him] there,” Colome said.

Flavio said Esquivel, 6-2, 270 pounds and bilingual, is not a stranger to AAA and that he told workers he’s a former Navy Seal. He often wears a hat with military insignia, Flavio said.

As for Hernandez, Flavio said he was a religious man who attended church every Sunday and that most of his family, including his mother and grandmother, live in Nicaragua.

“He was a really good guy,” Flavio said. “A lot of people are going to be very sad about this.”


The scene at 9955 SW 87th Court in Kendall where a man was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon, July 11, 2017. The man worked for AAA and was on a call, according to law enforcement sources. Police have not identified the victim, although a man who said he was the victim’s uncle identified his nephew as Magdiel Hernandez. Patrick Farrell pfarrell@miamiherald.com