2 people were injured when a Cessna T337D Turbo Super Skymaster plane owned by John Lumley of Greenwood, SC crashed in Greenwood County, SC

GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. —

Two people were injured when a small plane crashed Friday morning in Greenwood County.

The plane went down about 7:30 a.m. in a wooded area near the end of the runway at the Greenwood County airport on Terminal Road, close to Leath Correctional Institute, according to Greenwood County officials.


The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash.

The people injured were taken to Self Regional Healthcare in stable condition, a hospital spokesman confirmed.

John Hilley had just gotten to work when he saw the plane overhead.

"I just seen where the plane started down to the airport, and then veered off to the right. It went through my mind, I said, 'That plane is going to crash', said Hilley. "It's kind of scary really."

The owner of the plane is listed as John Lumley of Greenwood, SC.

Intro

• President (title) at Greenwood Equipment and Repair
• Worked at Capri's of Greenwood
• Former Sergant at U.S. Army
• Studied To at Clemson
• Went to Greenwood High School
• Lives in Greenwood, South Carolina
• Married
• From Greenwood, South Carolina

N337J Aircraft Registration

Aircraft Summary

Summary

1968 CESSNA T337D
Fixed wing multi engine
(6 seats / 2 engines)

Owner

LUMLEY JOHN
GREENWOOD , SC, US
(Individual)

Airworthiness Class

Standard/Normal

Serial Number

337-1017

Engine

CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER (Reciprocating)
Horsepower: 300

Weight

Less than 12,500lbs

Speed

142mph

Mode S Code

050730230 / A3B098

Date:	07-JUL-2017
Time:	07:30LT
Type:	Cessna T337D Turbo Super Skymaster
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N337J
C/n / msn:	337-1017
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Greenwood County Airport (KGRD), Greenwood, SC -   United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Greenwood County (KGRD)

Narrative:
The aircraft impacted wooded terrain during an approach to land at Greenwood County Airport (KGRD) in Greenwood, South Carolina. The twin-engine airplane sustained substantial damage. 2 Occupants were injured.

Sources:

http://www.wyff4.com/article/sky-4-live-small-plane-crashes-in-upstate/10273825
http://www.indexjournal.com/news/breaking/plane-crashes-near-leath-correctional-in-greenwood-county/article_2c915e12-9eb5-54e4-85b3-564429c601b1.html
_______________________________________
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Greenwood+County+Airport,+322+Terminal+Rd,+Greenwood,+SC+29649/@34.2493924,-82.1501373,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88f80097108f4769:0x70d995ddaa7ccbc4?hl=en-us
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=337J
https://www.flickr.com/photos/planesandstuff/22280276940

Pilot Joseph P. Kinney, 52, of Dingmans Ferry died after he crashed his Morrisey 2250A plane in wooded terrain shortly after takeoff from Cherry Ridge Airport (N30) in Honesdale, Pennsylvania

CHERRY RIDGE TOWNSHIP -- A plane crash near an airport in Wayne County has claimed the life of a Pike County man.

According to reports, a small plane crashed in a wooded area near the Cherry Ridge Airport near Honesdale around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The Wayne County Coroner has confirmed the crash killed Joseph P. Kinney, 52, of Dingmans Ferry.

State police, federal aviation officials, and fire crews were all on the scene after the crash. They told Newswatch 16 that Kinney was piloting a small plane when he crashed into a wooded area not far from the Cherry Ridge Airport near Honesdale.

There is still no word on what caused that crash in Wayne County, but state police along with other officials plan to return to the scene Friday to continue the investigation.

The Wayne County Coroner also confirms that there will be an autopsy.
While Newswatch 16 did speak with some people at the Cherry Ridge Airport today, they did not want to appear on camera. However, they did say that what happened today is "a nightmare."


Here is some personal information of the dead pilot:

Personal Information
JOSEPH PAUL KINNEY PO BOX 452 DINGMANS FERRY PA 18328-0452 County:  PIKE Country: USA
Medical Infomation:
Medical Class: Third  Medical Date: 6/2014
BasicMed Date:  None
Certificates
PRIVATE PILOT   MECHANIC
Certificates Description
Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT  Date of Issue: 1/28/2013 Ratings: PRIVATE PILOT   AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND Limits: ENGLISH PROFICIENT.

===================








HONESDALE, Pa. (AP) — The county coroner has identified the pilot killed when his small plane crashed near a northeastern Pennsylvania airport.


The Wayne County coroner says the pilot is 52-year-old Joseph Kinney, of Dingman's Ferry.


The Federal Aviation Administration spokesman says Kinney's Morrissey 2150A aircraft crashed just before 6 p.m. Thursday, about a half-mile from Cherry Ridge Airport near Honesdale.


Honesdale is about 100 miles (161 kilometers) northwest of New York City.

An autopsy was expected Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the cause of the crash.



==================

Date:	06-JUL-2017
Time:	16:30
Type:	Morrisey 2250A
Owner/operator:	Registration Pending
Registration:	N917JL
C/n / msn:	SP-26
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Substantial
Location:	near Cherry Ridge Airport (N30), Honesdale, PA -   United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	Cherry Ridge (N30)
Destination airport:

Narrative:
The aircraft impacted wooded terrain shortly after takeoff from Cherry Ridge Airport (N30) in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot onboard was fatally injured.

Sources:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/pennsylvania/small-plane-crash-in-pennsylvania-described-as-fatal/article_a3de8643-43af-515e-866b-09dbb70b7ccf.html
http://wnep.com/2017/07/06/breaking-deadly-plane-crash-at-airport-in-wayne-county/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cherry+Ridge+Airport-N30,+30+Bomber+Ln,+Honesdale,+PA+18431/@41.5155954,-75.2508227,17z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c4b6abc58fbcb1:0xb4149ab82270110?hl=en-us
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=917JL
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001008753.html

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varga_2150_Kachina

2 drivers were killed when one of them drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Oceanside, CA and smashed head-on into another car, causing fire; alcohol and/or drugs is suspected to be involved in the collision.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Two drivers were killed early Friday when one of them drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Oceanside and smashed head-on into another car.

The crash, which killed both drivers, happened just before 2 a.m. in the southbound lanes near Mission Avenue. One of the vehicle caught fire after the collision.

The California Highway Patrol closed all southbound lanes of I-5 for about four hours during the investigation and cleanup. All lanes were reopened by 6 a.m.

Multiple 911 callers reported a vehicle driving the wrong-way on the southbound side of the interstate. Only one minute after CHP was alerted of the dangerous driver on the I-5, an Oceanside Police Officer that was headed towards the freeway, heard the fatal collision.

The head-on crash occurred in the far left lane of interstate 5 at Mission Avenue in Oceanside.

Oceanside firefighters took nearly 45 minutes to extricate both drivers, who ultimately succumbed to their injuries.

CHP Sergeant Salvador Gutierrez said it was too early to say which vehicle was at fault, driving the wrong-way. The investigation will check back with numerous 911 callers as traffic investigators continue to investigate the horrific double fatal collision.

Oceanside Firefighters spent about 45 minutes cutting a female driver out of her black Toyota 4Runner and another male driver was cut out of a newer red Toyota Corolla.

=============

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) - Two people were killed Friday morning after a wrong-way head-on collision on Interstate 5 in Oceanside.

The California Highway Patrol said just after 2 a.m. witnesses reported seeing a black Toyota SUV traveling on northbound I-5 in the southbound lanes near Oceanside Boulevard. A red Toyota Camry traveling southbound could not avoid the SUV, and the two vehicles collided head-on near Mission Avenue.

The crash blocked several lanes, and according to the CHP, the SUV's female driver and the Camry's male driver both died at the scene.

At least three other cars struck the vehicles involved, but no one was injured.

A Sig Alert was issued for southbound I-5 at Mission Avenue due to the emergency response and investigation.

CHP officials said alcohol and/or drugs is suspected to be involved in the collision.

Electrical malfunction cause of fire that destroyed the TNT Fast Stop Food store in Springfield's Upper Hill neighborhood in Mass.

Electrical malfunction cause of fire that heavily damaged store in Springfield's Upper Hill neighborhood


  SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- An electrical malfunction was the cause of a fire that caused over $100,000 in damage to a store in the Upper Hill neighborhood Thursday night.

The fire at TNT Fast Stop Food store, 402 King St., was reported shortly after 9:10 p.m., Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant said.

No injuries were reported.

Leger said all the contents of the store were destroyed. The structural damage to the building likely amounts to some $30,000 or $40,000 and the remainder pertains to the contents and equipment inside.

The property has been condemned as a result of the fire, Leger said.


The building is owned by Astley Buchanan of Springfield, according to assessor records. It is assessed at $33,100.



===============


Springfield store suffers over $100,000 in damage after fire breaks out inside of it


Updated on July 7, 2017 at 1:22 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - A store in Springfield's Upper Hill neighborhood suffered over $100,000 in damages Thursday night after a fire broke out inside of it.

City firefighters were called to 402 King St. around 9:12 p.m. where they found a building, the TNT Fast Stop Food Store, engulfed in flames, said Dennis Leger, spokesman for the Springfield Fire Department.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Leger said.

A number of fire engines could be seen at the scene of the fire and police blocked off sections of King Street and redirected traffic away from the blaze.

No one was injured, but the fire caused over $100,000 in damage to the building, said Leger.

Hamburg Fireworks Displays, Inc. worker Keith Krile, 33, was badly hurt at a public firework show in Jeffersonville, Ohio. Several people injured by fireworks in Ohio

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — The Ohio Fire Marshal's Office is investigating several gruesome fireworks accidents over the Independence Day holiday.

Acting Fire Marshal Jeff Hussey said, one man lost a hand in Fulton County and another person suffered serious head and facial injuries in Butler County on Tuesday night.  In Central Ohio, a worker was badly hurt at a public firework show in Jeffersonville.  That exhibit was shut down about 20 minutes after it began and before the finale.

No citizens were injured.

Keith Krile, 33 of Lancaster was taken by medical helicopter to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he has had two surgeries on his leg and is being treated for burns. Krile was trained as a registered assistant and had worked for his company for a decade.

Ken Sprague, owner of Hamburg Fireworks, said he talked with Krile on Wednesday morning and Krile is in a lot of pain. Sprague said he is sorry to hear one of his best workers got hurt during the Jeffersonville exhibit. Sprague said workers are trained annually to make sure that not only the public is safe when they watch fireworks but all our employees are safe.

"Krile doesn't do this for the money. He has got tattoos of fireworks on his chest. That is how much he loves fireworks; he would have put my logo there if I wanted him to. That is how much he loves it," said Sprague.

Hussey said incidents at commercial fireworks exhibits are rare because workers are trained and licensed. But something went wrong in Jeffersonville caused the tube to fail and the charge to come out of the bottom.

"I think this accident in Jeffersonville shows you the potential dangers associated with commercial grade fireworks, they really are an explosive and even trained professional can have things go wrong," said Hussey.

Sprague hopes Krile will return to his fireworks job and be a part of something that is risky, but that so many love. "That is one of their reasons why people like to be a part of it. When the show is over and the finale is done and everybody is applauding that made it all worthwhile," said Sprague.

Hamburg, located in Lancaster, has been operating as a family business since 1972 and has reported no serious accidents during that time. Sprague said they are checking their products being used in upcoming shows over the next several days to make sure they are safe. Hamburg employs more than 250 workers during the holiday season and they do about a hundred shows.



==================


Man recovering following July 4 fireworks accident in Jeffersonville
 


By Ryan Carter - rcarter@aimmediamidwest.com




A Lancaster man injured by a malfunctioning shell during the annual July 4 fireworks show in Jeffersonville Tuesday night is recovering from ankle surgery at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Approximately 16 minutes into the show at the old elementary school site, a loud boom heard close to the ground interrupted the festivities and caused confusion among the large crowd. Shortly after the explosion, members of the Jeffersonville Fire Department and Fayette County EMS responded to the scene.

Keith L. Krile, 33, was transported from the scene by medical helicopter to OSU for treatment after he was struck in the ankle.


Four individuals, including Krile, were in charge of the fireworks show Tuesday night. Jason Retherford, 43, of Ashville, Ohio, also suffered minor injuries from the explosion, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office report. No other injuries were reported.

“There was an incident involving a shell during the show,” said Ken Sprague, president of Hamburg Fireworks Displays, Inc., a Lancaster-based fireworks company that’s contracted by the Jeffersonville Celebration committee for the fireworks show. “Unfortunately there was a malfunction when they were lighting it on the ground. A fragment from the mortar that launches the shell hit Keith.”

On Wednesday, Sprague said he spoke to Krile, who said he’s doing well following the ankle surgery.

“It’s very fortunate that he’s okay,” Sprague said. “Our company is always very conscientious when it comes to public safety and the safety of our employees. But you’re dealing with explosive devices that are hand-made by human beings, so there is always a chance that something can go wrong.”

Following the explosion, the show was cancelled before the grand finale display.

“At that point, we thought it was in everyone’s best interests to postpone until July 4 next year,” said Sprague.

A construction worker suffered a traumatic injury after falling 20 feet into the basement of a home under construction in Berkeley Heights, NJ

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - A construction worker suffered a traumatic injury after falling into the basement of a home under construction on Thursday afternoon.

Berkeley Heights Fire Department was dispatched to Holly Glen Lane South to help rescue the man who had fallen about 20 feet into a basement which could only be accessed by a ladder. There were no stairs or other means of access into the basement.

Berkeley Heights Deputy Chief Jim Hopkins said Union County EMS and Atlantic Paramedics were on scene treating the patient when firefighters arrived. Due to the patient’s condition and location, New Providence Fire Department was dispatched to assist with the rescue.

Firefighters from Berkeley and New Providence set up a system using ladders, ropes, and other equipment to safely remove the patient from the basement, Hopkins said.

It took just under an hour to rescue the patient from the basement and the medevac helicopter was dispatched to the Bell Labs helicopter landing zone to transport the patient to Morristown Medical Center’s trauma center.

Both the Berkeley Heights and New Providence Fire departments have been preparing for about five years to handle these types of emergencies. The departments have a joint Technical Rescue team that trains and is equipped for Confined Space, Trench, Water and Ice Rescue, Hopkins said.

Long Hill First Aid Squad responded to the scene to provide Firefighter rehab, Chatham Township, Chatham Borough, Summit and Stirling Fire departments provided coverage for both towns during the operation.

A Moneta Volunteer Fire Department fire truck was involved in an accident while responding to a call after a red Ford F-150 pick-up truck failed to yield to the emergency vehicle

A Moneta Volunteer Fire Department fire truck was involved in an accident while responding to a call around 3 p.m. Sunday, July 2.

The fire truck was traveling eastbound with lights and siren activated, when an approaching vehicle failed to yield to the emergency vehicle around the block of 1900 Chestnut Fork Rd.

The driver of the fire engine avoided striking the oncoming red Ford F-150 pick-up truck and ran off the right-side of the road where there was an eight-foot drop to a creek.

The fire truck stopped on the top edge of the embankment with its right-side tires over the edge.

Moneta VFD Chief Jeremiah Calhoun said, “my driver did exactly as trained and as I would expect. He took evasive action to avoid striking the other vehicle.”

There was no contact between the two vehicles and the red F-150 stopped briefly, but then continued on.

Chief Calhoun said that the driver of the fire truck, along with one firefighter, were transported to Bedford Memorial Hospital as a precaution and were released later that afternoon.

A video camera recorded the entire event from the fire truck, which was reviewed and said that speed was not a factor on the part of the fire truck.

The extent of damage to the fire truck is undetermined at this time.

The Moneta VFD was heading to a crash near the intersection of Headens Bridge Road and Rock Cliff Road, where a pick-up truck of similar description had run someone off the road.

The Virginia State Police are investigating both incidents.



=================




BEDFORD, Va. (WSET) -- The Bedford Fire Marshal said it's office is investigating after a Moneta Volunteer Fire Dept. fire truck was involved in a motor vehicle accident while on the way to a call around 3:20 p.m. Sunday.

Jeff Pauley wrote that the fire truck was traveling eastbound near the 1900 block of Chestnut Fork Rd. with lights and sirens activated.

He said while approaching that road, a vehicle failed to yield to the emergency vehicle.

The driver of the fire truck was forced to take evasive action to avoid hitting the oncoming red Ford F-150 pickup truck and ran off the right side of the road where there was about an eight foot drop to a creek.

Luckily, the fire truck stopped on the top edge of the embankment with its right side tires over the edge.


Pauley said the F-150 briefly stopped, but then continued.

There was no contact between the two vehicles.

Pauley said the fire truck was equipped with a video camera that recorded the entire event.

The firefighters were headed to a crash near the intersection of Headens Bridge Rd. and Rock Cliff Rd., where Pauley said a similar pickup truck had run someone off the road.

State Police are now investigating both incidents.

The Moneta Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Jeremiah Calhoun said the driver did exactly as trained and took evasive action to avoid hitting another vehicle.

Chief Calhoun said the driver of the fire truck and along with one firefighter were taken to Bedford Memorial Hospital as a precaution. They were released later that afternoon.

After viewing the video, Chief Calhoun said speed was not a factor on the part of the fire truck.

The extent of damage to the fire truck is undetermined, according to Chief Calhoun, pending an inspection of the frame.

Norway's Protector Forsikring, the insurer of London's Grenfell Tower, where at least 80 people died in a devastating fire, raised its estimate for property and liability insurance claims to 50 million pounds

OSLO (Reuters) - The insurer of London's Grenfell Tower, where at least 80 people died in a devastating fire, raised its estimate for property and liability insurance claims to 50 million pounds on Friday.


British police have said the final death toll from the blaze that gutted the 24-storey apartment block on June 14 may not be known until next year and the government has appointed a retired judge to lead a public inquiry into the disaster.


Norway's Protector Forsikring the insurance provider for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which owns the building, also said it had been aware Grenfell Tower had been refurbished during the insurance underwriting process.


It said it had considered this renovation, which was criticized by some residents, as a positive step.


Asked whether the company was aware at the time that the cladding used for the tower block was potentially flammable, Protector Forsikring's chief executive Sverre Bjerkeli told Reuters: "We must let the investigation run its course."


Protector Forsikring said in its second-quarter earnings that it estimated gross claims would total 50 million pounds ($65 million), doubling a previous 25 million pound forecast.


"Figures are preliminary, uncertain and will include both property, liability and other potential related costs," it said.


Protector's previous estimate was for claims of 20 million pounds to cover the building itself, with the remainder covering additional expenses such as alternative housing for residents.


It provided no breakdown of the updated figure, but it has previously said the cost would largely be covered by reinsurance through Germany's Munich Re, which declined to comment on Friday.



Britain's Jardine Lloyd Thompson, which was the insurance broker for Grenfell Tower, has previously said it was working closely to assist its client in the case.


For Protector itself, net property and liability claims relating to the fire are not expected to change from a first estimate of 2.5 million pounds, Bjerkeli said.


Before the fire, Protector Forsikring had rated the borough of Kensington and Chelsea as a good customer for the insurer.


"The client is better than the London average, the London average is better than the UK average and the UK average is better than Scandinavia," Bjerkeli said.


This assessment was based on data the company has gathered during 10,000 visits of properties in Britain, Bjerkeli said, adding that he remained confident in the country's public sector and the firm would maintain its UK growth strategy.


Britain said on Wednesday it was sending in a task force to help run the local authority, which has been struggling to cope with the aftermath of the fire.


Kensington and Chelsea has been criticized by victims' relatives and survivors for its handling of the disaster and its leader quit last week.


Prime Minister Theresa May promised that all residents would be offered good temporary homes in the local area within three weeks, but that deadline passed on Wednesday and while 139 families had been offered homes, only 14 had been accepted and just three had moved in. 





Protector Insurance is a Scandinavian company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Since the beginning of 2004 we have had a fast and profitable growth. The company delivers land based insurance to commercial and public sector, and we distribute our products through insurance brokers. We also sell change of ownership insurance through real estate brokers and lawyers in the Norwegian market, which has an agreement with Protector.

In 2016 the company's written premium was NOK 3.439 billion compared to NOK 2.843 billion in 2015. This gave us a growth of 21%.

Protector has grown rapidly, and we are currently counting almost 300 employees; in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, UK and Finland.

Timeline

• 2004 Sale of insurances
• 2004 Launches change of ownership insurance
• 2005 Started settlement of claims in-house
• 2006 Strong growth in public sector
• 2007 Protector is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in May
• 2008 26% growth in the private and public sector
• 2009 20% increase in total premium income
• 2010 Passing one billion NOK in premium income
• 2011 Starts selling insurances in Sweden
• 2012 Starts selling insurances in Denmark
  1,5 billion NOK in premium income, 26% growth
• 2013 23% growth
• 2014 28% growth
• 2015 20 % growth
• 2015

THE VENUS WILLIAMS WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT: Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe on Wednesday granted a request by Williams’ attorney to temporarily prevent a data download from the car occupied by victim Jerome Barson, 78

Venus Williams

Venus Williams wins emergency court ruling in fatal crash wrongful death lawsuit

A Palm Beach County judge has granted an emergency request by an attorney for Venus Williams to temporarily stop data downloads from the vehicles in the wrongful death lawsuit against the tennis star. A hearing on the matter is set for Friday.


Venus Williams’ lawyer has obtained an emergency order in the wrongful death lawsuit against the tennis great over her June 9 crash in Palm Beach Gardens.

Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe on Wednesday granted a request by Williams’ attorney to temporarily prevent a data download from the car occupied by victim Jerome Barson, 78.


The court has scheduled a hearing on the matter at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Palm Beach County Courthouse.

Barson died June 22 from traumatic injuries in the crash, including a broken spine and massive internal bleeding.

Williams is currently in London competing in the Wimbledon tennis championships and is not expected in court. She is scheduled to play a third-round match on Friday.

On Wednesday, Williams’ attorney asked the court to intervene and stop the Barson estate’s lawyers from inspecting and getting information from the 2016 Hyundai Accent.

The concern is that the planned download by Barson attorney Michael Steinger could fail and the data would be lost, argued attorney Kevin Yombor of Fort Lauderdale. He asked for the judge to approve a joint inspection carried out by experts for both sides.

Both the Accent and Williams’ 2010 Toyota Sequoia are being stored at a West Palm Beach tow yard, records show.


“The on-board data of both vehicles will be critical evidence,” Yombor wrote. “The actions taken by Plaintiff should not occur until … a procedure is in place to ensure that the data of each vehicle is properly collected.”

Palm Beach Gardens police say the crash remains under investigation. Williams has not been cited with any traffic violations.

Attorneys for the Barson estate could not be reached for comment Thursday despite attempts by email and phone.

The crash happened in the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and BallenIsles Drive.

Williams was driving north toward BallenIsles, where she lives, while the Barsons, who reside west of Palm Beach Gardens, were heading west on Northlake. Linda Barson, 68, was driving her husband of 33 years.

Williams’ SUV was hit on the right side by the Barsons’ Hyundai when the Toyota came through the intersection in front of the Barsons, police wrote in an initial report released last week.

“The driver of [the Toyota] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the Hyundai],” the police report stated, listing Williams speed as 5 mph and the Barsons’ speed as 25 mph.

But the cars’ “black boxes” could provide information about the speed at the time of impact.

Williams and Barson both said they had green lights. Williams told an officer she stopped “in the median break due to other traffic.”

The lawsuit blames Williams for “failing to yield the right of way, failing to stop at a red-light ... failing to stop for oncoming traffic, driving too fast for the conditions, driving carelessly and recklessly, and distracted driving.”

After her opening round victory at Wimbledon on Monday, Williams, 37, cried when speaking to reporters about the crash.

“There are no words to describe, like, how devastating and, yeah,” she said as her words trailed off. “Yeah, I am completely speechless.”

On Williams’ Facebook page, she posted a statement Friday after being sued: “I am devastated and heartbroken by this accident. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerome Barson and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”



==============



Venus Williams: Brandy Norwood’s wrongful death lawsuit is a cautionary tale
By Yvette Caslin | June 30, 2017 2:04 PM EST



NEW YORK – AUGUST 25: Venus Williams attends press conference at Arthur Ash stadium on August 25, 2012 in Queens New York (Photo Credit: Lev Radin)

Michael Steinger is the attorney for Linda Barson, wife of Jerome Barson, 78, who died during a fatal car crash involving Venus Williams.

On “Good Morning America” on Friday, June 30, Steinger said that the family will file suit against the tennis star over the accident that left Jerome with head injuries. Barson died two weeks after the crash.

A police report obtained by TMZ Sports states that Williams, who was driving a 2010 Toyota Sequoia, is “at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver].” Williams’ SUV darted into an intersection in Palm Beach Gardens. Linda Barson, who was also injured, said she could not stop her 2016 Hyundai Accent in time and hit Williams’ car.
 
“At this point we are attempting to both preserve the evidence and gain access to evidence,” Steinger said. “There were video cameras placed at guard houses where Ms. Williams lives; police have refused after multiple requests to turn those over to us, and we would like to see visual portrayal of the accident on those videos. They have impounded all the vehicles and have impeded our ability to do our investigation and move forward. Not sure what their reasoning is. They have refused to turn them over to us at this point.”

LAS VEGAS – MAY 20: Brandy Norwood at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo Credit: By Joe Seer)

Similarly, in 2007, a wrongful death suit was filed against Grammy Award-winning singer Brandy Norwood by the parents of a woman who died in a Los Angeles freeway car crash involving the singer. The parents of victim Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, claimed both compensatory and punitive damages in the amount of $50 million. According to reports, Norwood was driving her Land Rover at 65 miles per hour.

Norwood’s vehicle hit a 2005 Toyota, which then hit a 1989 Toyota. The 2005 Toyota slid sideways into the center divider and was hit by a 1988 Acura. Aboudihaj was the driver of the 2005 Toyota. The mother of one was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and died the next day from blunt-force injuries, according to the coroner’s office.

On Nov. 13, 2009, Norwood reached a settlement with Marouane Hdidou, husband of Awatef Aboudihaj, the mother of two who was killed in the December 2006 crash. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Canadian National Railway employee Jim Wagner of Dubuque drowned after he slipped off the train bridge, and fell into the Mississippi River water

East Dubuque, Illinois
UPDATE:

Authorities have identified the missing railroad worker who fell into the Mississippi River.

The Canadian National Railway employee is Jim Wagner of Dubuque.

"We are presuming that he drowned," said Joe Heim, East Dubuque Fire Chief.

Authorities say Wagner somehow slipped off the train bridge, and fell into the water, early Monday morning.

On Tuesday, day two of the search, about 25 first responders went up and down the river using sonar technology to scan for the body. The AirCare3 Helicopter was flown above to assist in the effort.

Hours gone by, but Wagner's body has not been recovered. The East Dubuque Fire Department made the tough decision to scale back.

"At this point, going forward, we're gonna start scaling our operation back -- we're gonna periodically check this week, and the following week going up and down the river and checking the back waters at the time," Heim said.

One of the challenges for authorities is the immense size of the mighty Mississippi. "And the current is very swift right now, that's what makes it very difficult for operations because of that, that swift current," added Heim.

KWWL reached out to Canadian National. A spokesman said: "CN continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. We are deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Wagner’s family, friends and co-workers. We also will continue to work with local authorities."

-----------------------------------------

PREVIOUS:

East Dubuque Fire Chief confirmed today in a press meeting that the worker, who fell in the river, is Jim Wagner from Dubuque.

---------------------------

Part of the Mississippi River has been closed for much of the day, crews worked to find the missing man.

Law enforcement say the rescue operation has switched to recovery mode.

First responders from Iowa, and Illinois searched the water for a Canadian National employee.

The search area is about 30 miles -- north of the train bridge to Bellevue.

They are using sonar equipment, to scan for the person in the water.

Officials say they believe he slipped, and the railroad company has video of it.

"This morning at approximately 7:15 we were notified to check on a worker on the train bridge, up here just north of town, upon looking at video when the Canadian National got in, they found that a person had fallen off the bridge," said Joe Heim, chief of the East Dubuque Fire Department.

Several hours went by before first responders were called. At the time, the employee was the only person on the bridge.

Crews plan on resuming their search Tuesday morning.

The identity of the operator will not be released until family has been notified.

Canadian National Railroad released the following statement:

"The name of the individual is not being released at this time. At this point all I can confirm is a CN employee is missing. Our emergency responders are working with local officials on the search. "We have launched an internal investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with our employee’s family and co-workers during this difficult time."

Thank you,

Patrick Waldron

CN spokesman

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The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Department says a part of the Mississippi River is closed for some sort of missing person investigation.

In a news conference this afternoon, fire chief says was he was a Canadian National operator. The incident seemed to be accidental, and they believe he slipped into the river.

The East Dubuque Fire Department is currently conducting an investigation on the river. It is closed from the train bridge to the Julien Dubuque Bridge until further notice.