Four people died Monday in separate state roadway accidents in Oklahoma

Four people dead in three state crashes, Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports
FROM STAFF REPORTS 

 Updated: August 22, 2017 11:33 AM CDT
 




Four people died Monday in separate state roadway accidents, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports.

Dorris Steele, 63, of Holdenville.

Steele died about 10:05 p.m. Monday on Interstate 40 about 7.4 miles northwest of Cromwell in Seminole County, the patrol reports. She was dead at the scene.

Steele was stopped in an SUV in the roadway across both lanes when a car driven by Teresa Leach, 47, of Tulsa hit the SUV on the driver's side. A pickup driven by James Akin, 72, of Moore, also hit the SUV. Steele was not wearing a seat belt and she was ejected.

Leach was treated and released at an Okemah hospital. Akin and a passenger, Dana Akin, 66, of Moore, were not injured.

Jeffrey Jacobs, 58, of McAlester.

Jacobs was dead about 4:40 p.m. Monday at the scene on Blue Creek Road just west of State Highway 31 about 13 miles northeast of Krebs, the patrol reports.

Jacobs drove a pickup off the roadway and hit a boulder. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Tammie Renee Swearingen, 44, of Tuskahoma.
Carly Dawn Hunter, 19, of Fort Towson.
 

Carly Dawn Hunter

Swearingen and Hunter were dead Monday at the scene of a collision on U.S. 271 about 2.2 miles northeast of Clayton in Pushmataha County.

Swearingen was driving a sport utility vehicle south on U.S. 271 about 8:20 a.m. Monday when she was struck by a car driven north by Hunter. Hunter drove off the right side of the roadway, then swerved back across the center line and struck the SUV driven by Swearingen, the patrol reports.

Seat belts were not in use by Swearingen. The patrol did not report whether Hunter wore a seat belt.

SEVERAL PEOPLE KILLED IN ATV CRASHES IN IDAHO; NEAL JENKINS AND ELAINE JENKINS KILLED AFTER THEY WERE STRUCK BY BOAT ON THE RIRIE RESERVOIR, EAST OF IDAHO FALLS

Boating accident kills husband and wife, while multiple people die in ATV wrecks

 
A husband and wife were killed and a third person was injured in a boating accident on Monday afternoon on the Ririe Reservoir in Bonneville County.


A husband and wife died and another person was injured in an East Idaho boating accident on Monday, while multiple people have died in ATV wrecks across the region over the past few days.


The boating accident occurred on Monday afternoon at Blacktail Park on the Ririe Reservoir, which is located east of Idaho Falls.


According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, 63-year-old Idaho Falls resident Mike Kingston was operating a boat on the reservoir with two passengers, 68-year-old Neal Jenkins and 65-year-old Elaine Jenkins, both of Centerville, Utah.

The sheriff’s office said that while completing a turn in the water, all three individuals were ejected from the vessel. They were then injured after being struck by the unoccupied boat as it turned in circles around them.


Once the unoccupied vessel stopped, other boaters in the area pulled Kingston and Neal and Elaine Jenkins out of the water and began life-saving efforts.


Emergency personnel arrived at approximately 3:15 p.m. Elaine Jenkins was pronounced dead at the scene, while Neal Jenkins was transported by Idaho Falls Ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries later on Monday.


Kingston was transported by Air Idaho Rescue helicopter to EIRMC, where he is still being treated.


The incident is under investigation by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone who witnessed the boating accident is asked to contact Deputy Mike Vasquez through dispatch at 208-529-1200.


In a press release issued on Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office thanked the witnesses and bystanders for their quick response in pulling the victims from the water and initiating life-saving efforts.


In a separate incident a few hours earlier, a Washington woman was killed in an ATV accident at the west end of the St. Anthony Sand Dunes.


According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Allen Connelly and 58-year-old Kimberley Bailey, both of Vancouver, Washington, were ejected from a Polaris RZR 800 after the vehicle rolled several times.


Connelly, was who driving the ATV, was transported to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg by Saint Anthony ambulance. However, life-saving efforts to revive Bailey, the passenger on the ATV, were unsuccessful.


In a separate incident near the Idaho/Wyoming border, a Texas man visiting the area to watch the total solar eclipse died in an ATV crash.


According to Teton County sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Stanyon, 30-year-old John Benson Mione and a friend were riding about a mile and a half east of the Idaho/Wyoming border on Sunday when their ATV got stuck.


Stanyon said Mione stepped behind the ATV to keep it from rolling down a hill, but it tipped and the roll bar struck and pinned him.


The friend attempted life-saving procedures, but Mione was pronounced dead at the scene.


According to the Associated Press, Stanyon called the death “one of those scary, freak accidents.”


In a separate incident on Saturday, a 33-year-old man died when he drove a four-wheeler off a 15-foot drop-off in northern Utah.


The incident occurred at around noon in Logan Canyon’s Franklin Basin area about 4 miles off U.S. Highway 89.


According to the Associated Press, bystanders attempted to perform CPR on the ATV’s driver, Cassidy Wakely, of Logan, but emergency crews were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.


Investigators say Wakely was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash but sustained significant internal injuries. Deputies believe that speed was a significant factor in the fatal accident.

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



Texas man in Wyoming to watch eclipse dies in ATV crash
The Associated Press


August 22, 2017 8:03 AM
ALTA, Wyo.



Authorities say a Texas man has died in an ATV crash while in Wyoming to watch the total solar eclipse.

Teton County sheriff's Sgt. Todd Stanyon called the death "one of those scary, freak accidents."

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports (http://bit.ly/2wuHXuD ) 30-year-old John Benson Mione died on Sunday while trying to keep the vehicle from rolling away after it became stuck.

Stanyon says Mione and a friend were riding about a mile and a half east of the Idaho border when the ATV got stuck. He says Mione stepped behind the ATV to keep it from rolling down hill, but it tipped and the roll bar struck and pinned him.

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





Centerville couple killed in boating accident at Idaho reservoir

By Gephardt Daily Staff - August 22, 2017

 
Neal and Elaine Jenkins. Photo: Facebook

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, Aug. 22, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A couple from Centerville died Monday afternoon after they were ejected then hit by the boat they were riding in near Blacktail Park at Ririe Reservoir in Idaho.

At about 3:15 p.m., emergency crews responded to the reservoir, which is approximately 28 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, according to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.


Elaine Jenkins, 65, and her husband, Neal Jenkins, 68, died from injuries suffered in the crash, the sheriff’s officials said. The boat was being operated by Mike Kingston, 63, of Idaho Falls.

All three individuals were ejected while completing a turn on the water, then struck by the boat. People in two additional boats pulled the victims out of the water and gave them CPR until medical teams arrived, officials said.

Elaine Jenkins was pronounced dead at the scene. Neal Jenkins was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by ambulance but died at the hospital later Monday.

Kingston was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by medical helicopter with serious injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.

Subcontractor Douglas Pugsley Mescher, 28, was killed when he was crushed by a heavy piece of equipment at Walther Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Franklin, Ohio

Subcontract worker killed in industrial accident at Franklin vehicle parts maker


Tuesday, August 22, 2017
By: Breaking News Staff, Kara Driscoll


Franklin industrial accident



UPDATE @ 4:30 p.m.:

Douglas Mescher has been identified as the subcontractor killed when he was crushed by a heavy piece of equipment at Walther Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Franklin, a Warren County Coroner’s Office investigator said.

The body of the 28-year-old Lebanon resident has been removed to the coroner’s office. The investigator said Mescher was a subcontract worker at Walther, a maker of vehicle parts.

Officials were called to the business, in the 3500 block of Shotwell Drive, about noon.

A company official with Walther said there would be no comment at this time.


An investigator with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was on scene as well.

There have been workplace safety violations at Walther in the past. OSHA issued the company several serious violations in 2010, according to records obtained by this news organization.  

The company was issued nine penalties related to how employees were handling materials and general requirements for all machines. 


Here is some info on the dead worker from his Facebook pages:

Intro

• Rigger at sk rigging
• Worked at E-BEAM Services
• Went to Warren County Carrer Center
• Lives in Lebanon, Ohio
• Married to Brittany Mescher

SK Rigging are machinery movers.


INITIAL REPORT

A man has died after a heavy piece of equipment fell on him at a Franklin business this afternoon, the Warren County Coroner’s Office said.

Crews were on the scene of the accident at Walther EMC in the 3500 block of Shotwell Drive around 4 p.m.

Walther EMC is a business that manufactures parts for vehicles.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also was on the scene investigating the circumstances of the accident.

Mackenzie Paige Hays, 23, of Hazard, KY killed after Alyssa Noble, 38, lost control of her car, hit a utility pole and two women who were watching the eclipse.

Mackenzie Paige Hays

Medical Assistant at Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky

Hazard, Kentucky

Hospital & Health Care

Current	Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky
Previous	Primary Care Centers of Eastern Ky, Save-A-Lot, RX Discount Pharmacy
Education	Hazard Community and Technical College

1. Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky

1. Primary Care Centers of Eastern Ky,
2. Save-A-Lot,
3. RX Discount Pharmacy

1. Hazard Community and Technical College

HYDEN, Ky. (WYMT) - A woman is dead and two people are injured after a car crashed into people in downtown Hyden Monday.
 
According to Kentucky State Police, Alyssa Noble, 38, was driving south on Main Street when she crossed the center line, hit a utility pole and crashed into two women.

Mackenzie Paige Hays, 23, of Hazard, was pronounced dead at the scene. Rhonda Belcher,41, was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

Officials first told WYMT bystanders said the two women were watching the eclipse but now that is unclear.

We are told Hays and Belcher worked for Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky. CEO Barry Martin released a statement Monday.

"A tragic accident occurred today involving our Primary Care Centers family. Officials are investigating the accident," Martin said. "We are asking that everyone keep all of those involved in your prayers and be respectful of their privacy."

Martin says the Hyden branch of PCCEK is closed for the rest of the week and counseling is available for employees.

Noble was flown to Holston Valley Medical Center.

Police tell WYMT it is unclear if Noble may have been under the influence at the time of the crash.

Kentucky State Police Captain Jennifer Sandlin said the crash is under investigation.

"We drive every single day," said Sandlin. "You know, people are out and about on the sidewalk, working on the roadway...things like that. It's something that's very unexpected."

Many people throughout the community were shocked when they heard about the crash.

"We usually walk to the restaurant where this happened at least one day a week," said Scott Napier. "I just thought this is the last place that you would think an accident like that could happen...at a red light at a curve on Main Street...just total shock."
=================


1 killed, 2 injured when car crashed into eclipse-watching crowd in Kentucky


LESLIE COUNTY, Ky. —

A woman was killed and two other people were injured Monday afternoon when a car crashed into a crowd watching the eclipse in Leslie County.

Alyssa Noble, 38, was driving on Main Street in Hyden when she lost control of her car, hit a utility pole and two women who were watching the eclipse.

Mackenzie Hays, 23, of Hazard, was pronounced dead at the scene. Rhonda Belcher was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

Noble was flown to Holston Valley Medical Center.

Kentucky State Police Captain Jennifer Sandlin said the crash is under investigation.



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



LESLIE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) -- One woman is dead after a car crashed into several people watching the eclipse in downtown Hyden, Kentucky.


Dispatch says the crash also injured another woman near Primary Care on Main Street.

Officials say a 38-year-old Alyssa Noble was speeding and crashed into a power pole and flipped the vehicle. A medical helicopter flew Noble to Holsten Valley Hospital.

Police say 23-year-old Mackenzie Hays of Hazard was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by Noble's vehicle. She was an employee at the Primary Care next to where the accident occurred.

The accident also injured Rhonda Belcher, and a helicopter flew her to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

Accident reconstruction units are on scene investigating the incident.

State Police believe the victims were watching the eclipse when they were hit by the vehicle.

A large fire at a Fort Worth, Texas warehouse likely was caused by a jammed machine at a cardboard and styrofoam recycling business

Likely cause of large Fort Worth warehouse fire determined


By Ryan Osborne


August 21, 2017 2:35 PM
FORT WORTH



A large fire at a Fort Worth warehouse last week likely was caused by a jammed machine at a cardboard and styrofoam recycling business, officials determined.

“The investigators don’t have any reason to believe it’s arson,” said Lt. Kyle Falkner, Fire Department spokesman.

Firefighters on Monday afternoon were still monitoring the site in the 2600 block of Ludelle Street, near East Lancaster Avenue and South Beach Street, Falkner said.

The fire started about 12:30 p.m. Friday and burned for about four hours, producing heavy clouds of black smoke that could be seen for miles.

Officials advised nearby residents to stay indoors because of potential toxic fumes, but the Texas Department of Environmental Quality determined that the smoke was not hazardous, Falkner said.

The fire destroyed the recycling business’s section of the warehouse. At one point, the roof collapsed, Falkner said. Officials were still assessing possible damage to other businesses in the warehouse.

One firefighter suffered second-degree burns to the shoulder, which officials characterized as minor injuries. The firefighter was taken to a hospital. No other injuries were reported.



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






FORT WORTH, TEXAS- Editor's note: The building destroyed by fire is believed to be a furniture storage facility. This story originally cited a Fort Worth FD report that it was a chemical storage warehouse.

Firefighters were putting out the last of the flames from a massive five-alarm fire at a warehouse in Fort Worth late Friday afternoon.

A furniture storage warehouse on the 2600 block of Ludelle Street near Beach Street and Interstate 30 in eastern Fort Worth caught fire earlier Friday. The fire was deemed under control around 4:30 p.m.

Officials say they believe the fire appears to be accidental.

Nearby residents were told to stay indoors and shelter in place during an hours-long battle with the flames. Over 100 firefighters were at the scene.

The Fort Worth Fire Department wrote on Twitter that it was a “defensive attack,” meaning they were simply trying to save surrounding buildings from the flames.

Arlington and Haltom City fire departments were assisting in fighting the flames.

One firefighter suffered minor burn injuries and was treated at the scene. At least one MedStar unit was called to the scene, though it is unclear if anyone else was injured.

Winds were blowing out of the northwest, meaning people in locations to the southeast of the fire are under the highest threat of smoke. The fire department advised those who live southeast of the fire to remain inside and lock their doors and windows.

A Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman at the scene said the department initially thought the warehouse was a chemical storage facility, but had since discovered it was a furniture storage facility.

The fire may have also involved a cardboard storage facility next door.

"Because of the heavy fire, smoke, and the layout of the building, we're having a hard telling where one business ends and the next one begins," the public information officer said.