State Police: 65-year-old Gretna man killed after tree falls onto car
by Catherine Doss
Monday, April 24th 2017
PITTSYLVANIA Co., Va. (WSET) - State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened Sunday afternoon.
According to State Police Nathaniel Tyrone Coles, 65, of Gretna, was driving his car on Route 40 near Tucker Road when a large tree fell and hit his car just after 6 p.m.
State Police say Coles' wife, Denny Lea Coles, 70, was in the passenger seat.
Police say both were wearing their seat belts.
State Police say neither speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.
They say both Mr. and Mrs. Coles were taken to the emergency room in Gretna.
State Police say Nathaniel Coles was pronounced dead at the hospital.
They say Denny Coles has life-threatening injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Such a freak, tragic accident, & so heartbreaking, I worked with Tyrone for 10 years @ Klopman
Officials waiting for building that caught fire to cool down before investigating
by Elizabeth Tyree
Monday, April 24th 2017
Hots spots are still smoldering after a building caught fire in Martinsville this weekend (Photo: Tony Watts/WSET)
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) -- Hot spots are still smoldering after a fire at a Martinsville building over the weekend.
The fire broke out at the Bargains Galore building on Aaron Street Saturday.
Fire crews said they couldn't get to all the hot spots on Monday because part of the building collapsed.
Once firefighters are able to get things under control, OSHA inspectors, asbestos inspectors, and engineers can go to work.
"We have been monitoring it since the fire and the rain is hampering our efforts at this point," said Martinsville Fire & EMS Deputy Fire Marshal, Andy Powers. "Also, the threat of further collapse of the building, so what we are waiting on now is for the rain to die down and actually be able to get in there and get a hold of the situation."
Officials are expecting it to take several days for the structure to cool down so they can go in.
They don't know what caused the fire and they say the owners did not have insurance.
=========
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) -- A large fire ripped through and destroyed a furniture warehouse in Martinsville on Saturday.
Fire Chief Ted Anderson says the fire broke out just after 5 p.m. at American Furniture warehouse in the 200 block of Aaron St.
When Martinsville Fire & EMS first arrived, they found the warehouse heavily engulfed in flames.
Fire crews had the fire under control just before 8 p.m.
The building is believed to be owned by Fred Martin and Associates, according to fire officials; and the business, Bargains Galore, was owned by John Martin. Neither of which are believed to have had insurance, according to Anderson.
Fire officials say the building is a total loss.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire, according to fire officials; and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. You can read the full press release on the incident below:
On Saturday April 22, 2017, at approximately 5:08 pm, Martinsville Fire & EMS responded to an alarm for a structure fire at 200 Aaron Street. Arriving units found the commercial structure heavily involved in fire. Due to the amount of fire involvement, size of the structure, equipment and firefighters available, a defensive attack was established. A four alarm callback was initiated. Martinsville Fire & EMS received response back from one shift, two support personnel from Martinsville Fire & EMS volunteer staff, Henry County Department of Public Safety, Fieldale Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, Stones Ambulance Service, Martinsville Police, Water, Electric, and Public Works Departments along with the American Red Cross. The fire was logged under control by the incident commander Assistant Chief Dan Howell of B Shift at 7:54 pm. In this situation, the rain assisted with fire suppression efforts. Crews will remain on the scene throughout the night. The scene will continue to have hot spots and will smolder for days to weeks. Aaron Street will remain closed until the street is cleared of debris and the threat of further collapse is secured.
The structure is believed to be owned by Fred Martin and Associates. The business, Bargains Galore, was owned by John Martin. Neither of which are believed to have had insurance. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The funding for this large of an investigation is usually relied heavily upon the insurance company. This will add delays and complications to the investigation. Deputy Emergency Manager Bobby Scott contacted the National weather service to confirm no lightning strikes within the City of Martinsville prior to the fire. Anyone having any information that is valuable to the investigation please contact Deputy Fire Marshal Andy Powers at (276) 403-5205.
This story has been updated.
2 dead in shooting at California maintenance facility
by The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 25th 2017
RIO DELL, Calif. (AP) — A work-related dispute escalated into a shooting Monday that left two people dead at a California Department of Transportation maintenance facility in Northern California.
California Highway Patrol investigators said they believe a Caltrans employee got into an altercation with his supervisor around 7 a.m. at the facility in Rio Dell, about 190 miles (305 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento.
The worker then grabbed a handgun and fired several rounds at the supervisor, killing her, before shooting himself.
She was found dead at the scene, and he died at the hospital.
The supervisor was identified as Annette Brooks, 61, of Carlotta and the shooter was Terry Hayse, 57, of Rio Dell, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said.
Gov. Jerry Brown said Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of Brooks. He offered his and his wife's condolences to her family and friends.
"The tragic death of this dedicated public servant is a shock to the entire Caltrans family," Brown said.
Details of the investigation have not been released.
A Caltrans spokeswoman said they were members of a painting crew.
"News of this tragedy shocks and saddens everyone at Caltrans. Our thoughts naturally are with the families," Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said in a statement.
Brooks is the 187th Caltrans employee to lose her life on the job, Brown said.
==============
RIO DELL, Calif (CBS13) — We’re learning new details about a Caltrans supervisor murdered at work by an employee who then turned the gun on himself. The CHP is investigating the deadly workplace shooting at a Caltrans facility in Rio Dell. CHP investigators say Caltrans employee Terry Allen Hayse killed himself, after first killing his supervisor, Annette Brooks.
Brooks was a 36 year veteran at Caltrans, and worked as a structural steel painter supervisor. She was also president of a decorative painting club. A friend says she was planning a retreat for the group this weekend. “We’re all devastated at the loss,” Karen Wagner said. Wagner says Brooks hadn’t told her about any problems at work, and remembers her friend as full of life. “She was energetic and she was ready to go,” Wagner said. “She figured we could do anything.”
Sheriff’s deputies say the murder-suicide escalated from a work-related issue. The employee retrieved a handgun and fired several rounds at the supervisor, killing her, before turning the handgun on himself. Caltrans’ director released a statement reading:
“News of this tragedy shocks and saddens everyone at Caltrans. Our thoughts naturally are with the families. The exact details are under investigation, and Caltrans is cooperating with law enforcement.”
Governor Jerry Brown released a statement about the shooting as well:
“The tragic death of this dedicated public servant is a shock to the entire Caltrans family. Anne and I send our deepest sympathies to Annette’s family, friends and her colleagues during this difficult time.”
According to the Governor’s office, Annette Brooks is the 187th Caltrans employee to lose her life on the job and in honor of Brooks, the flags at the Capitol will be flown at half-staff.
Houston police say a father, grandmother and the child were killed when a truck hit the vehicle they were traveling in on 288 at Bellfort Avenue Sunday afternoon.
Updated 21 mins ago
HOUSTON, TEXAS (KTRK) -- Investigators filed charges in connection with a deadly crash that killed three people, including a 2-year-old, over the weekend.
Larry James Williams has been charged with possession of marijuana. He was released on $5,000 bond.
Investigators say he was driving the truck that hit the family's Chevrolet Aveo on Highway 288 at Bellfort Avenue Sunday afternoon.
Jose Quintanilla, who was driving, was killed in the crash, along with his mother-in-law Jimena Barranco and his young son Sebastian. Grisel Barranco was riding in the passenger seat and survived the crash.
Grisel Baranco-injured
Jimena Barranco - died
Jose Quintanilla-died
Sebastian - died
Larry James Williams
Grisel Barranco, 22, survived the crash that killed three members of her family.
Police say Williams was speeding on Highway 288 and went to exit at Reed Road. His truck then veered back into the main lanes and hit the family's car.
Williams and two passengers in the truck were not injured.
Investigators say Williams did not show preliminary signs of intoxication. Additional charges may be filed.
==============
HOUSTON, TEXAS - Three people were killed in a two-vehicle crash that shut down three lanes on southbound State Highway 288 at Bellfort Boulevard Sunday afternoon, Houston TranStar confirmed.
The incident was reported at 4:50 p.m. at 9100 South Freeway.
Police said a man, identified as Larry James Williams, 37, driving a black Dodge Ram pickup truck at a high rate of speed in the exit lane to Reed Road had drove into the main lanes and struck a yellow Chevrolet Aveo. The impact caused the Dodge to flip on its side.
Police said the man who was driving the Aveo was killed along with his mother-in-law and child. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the fourth passenger in the Aveo was the driver's wife, who was taken to a hospital. Police said she is expected to survive her injuries.
The three passengers inside the Dodge were not injured.
Police said Williams did not show signs of intoxication, but was charged with possession of marijuana.
The incident is under investigation.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, a Fort Bragg soldier has died after a fatal wreck on Yadkin Road Saturday evening. (WTVD)
Updated 2 hrs 4 mins ago
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina (WTVD) -- The Fayetteville Police Department says a Fort Bragg soldier has died after a fatal wreck on Yadkin Road Saturday evening.
Police officers were called to 5000 block Yadkin Road near Lake Valley Drive and Silver Pine Drive around 5 p.m. after reports of an accident.
Sgt. Shawn Strepay with the Fayetteville Police Department said a Honda turned left in front of a motorcycle striking and killing the driver, 24-year-old Jeremiah Holmes of the 4100 block of Collins Street, Fort Bragg.
The driver of the Honda 51-year-old Joseph Brown and his two teenage passengers sustained non-life threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the traffic crash is asked to contact officers with the Fayetteville Police Department's Traffic Unit at (910) 433-1830 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-8477.
Fort Bragg officials said Holmes was from Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was a cannon crew-member assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Pfc. Jeremiah Holmes (image courtesy Fort Bragg)
"He was well liked by his peers and respected throughout the organization. Just two weeks ago, we celebrated his promotion to Private First Class in front of his fellow Paratroopers," said said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Munn, commander of the "Loyalty" battalion, 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment.
Pfc. Holmes joined the Army in April 2016 and, following Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in August 2016.
