An orange water cooler fell from an orange OG&E service truck and caused a chain reaction that killed Greg Penna in Oklahoma City, OK

OHP: Water jug may have caused fatal highway crash 

September 5, 2018, by Lili Zheng


OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -



Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a water jug may have caused a fatal wreck on a busy state highway.

The three-vehicle crash happened around 1 p.m. last Friday, according to Capt. Paul Timmons with OHP. Timmons said investigators have finished interviewing witnesses on the scene.

"Initially, the information we have from witnesses was that an orange water cooler fell from another vehicle and landed in the center lane of the southbound roadway on Broadway Extension," Timmons said. "That’s all we have to go on, basically whenever we do these types of investigations. We have to go with what the witnesses say until we can either verify or disprove that."

According to a police report, a witness described one of the vehicles involved as "an orange OG&E service truck" that "lost an orange water jug off of the back of the unit."

The report goes on to say one of the drivers, identified as Greg Penna, swerved to the left to avoid the cooler when he was rear-ended by another car and hit another one. Penna, 51, did not survive the crash.

A friend of the family told News 4 that Penna was originally from Louisiana where the family plans to bury him at a church cemetery. We're told he worked there as a pastor early in his career.

Since the crash, the family has hired personal injury attorney Noble McIntyre.

"Just from the initial police report, it looks like there was some events put in motion that led to this terrible tragedy, and so it’s my job to find out if in fact that is what happened and then to determine if there is a legal course of action for the family," McIntyre said.

In this case, McIntyre said the witness' account given to OHP holds significance.

"It’s huge in the sense that particular witness has identified the potential defendant," he told News 4. "If that’s the case, vehicles in Oklahoma are required under the law to secure their load so that things don’t fall off because, if something falls off in a busy highway, it’s going to impede traffic, it will cause some folks to swerve and it can cause accidents, which is exactly what happened here."

In a statement, OG&E said:


"We want to offer our thoughts and prayers to the Penna family. OG&E is continuing to assist the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol in its investigation of this incident."

McIntyre said the investigation portion for his office will include finding any video surveillance of incident and speaking with witnesses and other drivers involved in the case.

Once OHP investigators finish the paperwork for the case, it will be turned over to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office for evaluation.

CALINFERNO: The Delta Fire burning in Shasta County raged out of control for a second day after bursting in size Wednesday evening, continuing to close a large stretch of Interstate 5 in both directions

Thursday, September 6, 2018

REDDING, Calif. (KGO) -- 

A fast-moving wildfire that's ripping through Shasta County forced some truckers and motorists to leave their vehicles behind. 

Caltrans is asking people to stay away from the area, as I-5 remains closed and alternate routes are busy and clogged up.

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



Fast-moving Delta Fire tops 22,000 acres as Interstate 5 remains closed, officials say


By Michael McGough

mmcgough@sacbee.com


September 6, 2018


The Delta Fire burning in Shasta County raged out of control for a second day after bursting in size Wednesday evening, continuing to close a large stretch of Interstate 5 in both directions, U.S. Forest Service officials reported Thursday.

The fire grew “aggressively” overnight, with “flame lengths estimated at 300 feet high,” according to a 9 a.m. incident update by the U.S. Forest Service.

Burning north of Lakehead and about 10 miles from Redding, the Delta Fire started about 1 p.m. Wednesday and exploded to 15,000 acres by midnight, consuming bush and timber at a “critical rate of spread,” Shasta-Trinity National Forest spokesman Joe Orosz said.

By Thursday evening the fire had grown to 22,000 acres, or 34 square miles; containment figures were not released by the Forest Service.

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Evacuations were ordered for the areas along the I-5 corridor on both sides, between Lamoine up to the Shasta-Siskiyou county line, and all residents of Dunsmuir.

An evacuation center has been established at the Mt. Shasta Community Center, 629 Alder St. The Mount Shasta Humane Society is accepting small animals of evacuees, at 1208 North Mount Shasta Blvd.

Delta and Hirz fires

Red circles on this live-updating map are actively burning areas, as detected by satellite. Orange circles have burned in the past 12 to 24 hours, and yellow circles have burned within the past 48 hours. Yellow areas represent the fire perimeter.
Source: National Interagency Fire Center

Shasta-Trinity National Forest spokesman Chris Losi said about 300 civilians have been evacuated and at least 300 structures are threatened, including 150 residences.

“There’s not a lot of people there normally, and a lot were evacuated, so that’s good,” Losi said.

The fire closed I-5 from 10 miles north of Redding at Fawndale Road to five miles south of Mount Shasta at Mott Road, Caltrans said Wednesday – a stretch of nearly 50 miles that is still closed as the fire continues to grow.

CHP officer Jason Morton said the only alternate route around the closure is taking motorists up to eight hours to navigate. Morton said the 140-mile detour on Highway 299 to Route 89 has been bumper-to-bumper the entire route.

He said the winding, mountain roads funnel to one lane each way at many points, and traffic often slows to 1 mph.

Morton said officials will reassess the safety of reopening Interstate 5 on Friday morning.



Additional, up-to-date information on road closures in Trinity County can be found via the county’s department of transportation Twitter feed.

Media reports and videos posted to social media show that more than a dozen big rigs were abandoned along the freeway Wednesday. Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Foster of the California Highway Patrol’s Mount Shasta office told the Los Angeles Times that at least four had caught fire Wednesday.


A U.S. Forest Service incident report said high temperatures and midday gusts of 15 to 20 mph were expected Thursday. Smoke from the fire was expected to spread through Northern California.

Fire officials have indicated that the Delta Fire is human-caused, but did not give further details.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 is managing the Delta Fire, as well as the Hirz Fire, burning about three miles away.

The Hirz Fire, is 46,150 acres and 75 percent contained, the Forest Service said Thursday morning.

Satellite images and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District indicate that most smoke from the Delta and Hirz fires was blowing in the direction of Oregon as of Thursday afternoon.

The Carr Fire, which killed eight people and devastated parts of Shasta County in the Redding area, reached 100 percent containment just a week earlier, on Aug. 30.

Dramatic images of the Delta Fire show it raging just feet from the interstate, as well as nearby hills.

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/fires/article217912665.html#storylink=cpy

 

TROPICAL STORM FLORENCE EXPECTED TO REINTENSIFY ON FRIDAY

BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Number  31
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL062018
1100 PM AST Thu Sep 06 2018

...FLORENCE EXPECTED TO REINTENSIFY ON FRIDAY...


SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...25.1N 49.8W
ABOUT 975 MI...1570 KM ENE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
ABOUT 1035 MI...1665 KM ESE OF BERMUDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...993 MB...29.33 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Florence was
located near latitude 25.1 North, longitude 49.8 West. Florence is
moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph (11 km/h), and a turn
toward the west is forecast on Friday.  A slow westward motion is
expected over the weekend, with a possible turn toward the
west-northwest on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Little change in strength is anticipated on Friday,
followed by a slow increase in wind speed over the weekend.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb (29.33 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
SURF:  Swells generated by Florence will begin to affect Bermuda on
Friday and will reach portions of the U.S. East Coast over the
weekend.  These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and
rip current conditions.  Please consult products from your local
weather office.

The body of BNSF rail company employee Joshua Crocram, 26, of Zachary, LA, who fell into the Baldwin Canal near Railroad Bridge was discovered Wednesday afternoon

BALDWIN, LA 
 
**UPDATE** The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office advises that the body of the missing rail worker, Joshua Crocram, age 26, of Zachary, LA has been recovered. Sheriff Scott Anslum thanks the U.S. Coast Guard, Baldwin Fire Department, Franklin Fire Department, and the Cajun Coast Search and Rescue Team in assisting the St. Mary Parish Marine and Patrol Sections in the search efforts. **


The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says that the search has resumed for a rail company employee who fell from a railroad bridge and into the Charenton drainage canal on Tuesday night in Baldwin.

 
Marine and Patrol Sections of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office along with personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Baldwin Fire Dept., and Franklin Fire Department are on the scene at the Baldwin Canal near the area of the Railroad Bridge responding to the report of an incident involving an employee of the rail company falling into the canal Tuesday night at approximately 9:30. The search is ongoing this morning.

Joshua Crocram was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes.  Here is what the brotherhood wrote few hours ago:



Yesterday, we lost a beloved brother in a tragic accident on a railroad bridge near Baldwin, La.
Brother Joshua Crocram, BMWED AT&SFF Local Lodge 2409 member and employee for BNSF railroad, died following a fall into the Baldwin Canal on the Lafayette Subdivision. He was 26 years old. Brother Joshua had worked for BNSF for four years.

Brother Joshua fell from the bridge around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night. The St. Mary’s Parish (La.) Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the call, assisted by the Franklin Fire Department, the Cajun Coast Search and Rescue Team, and the United States Coast Guard. Despite the efforts of many, Brother Joshua tragically could not be rescued in time.

The BMWED is immensely saddened by this loss. Brother Joshua was far too young and his death is felt deeply. Details of the accident are currently being investigated. It is a tragic and terrible reminder that our work is serious and often dangerous. We must remain ever-vigilant in our safety on the job, and remind ourselves of the hazards every single day.

“We will miss Brother Joshua. It is a sad day in this Brotherhood, and a sad day for the railroad,” President Freddie N. Simpson said. “Brother Joshua’s family and friends are in our prayers. We offer our most sincere condolences. The entire BMWED will keep our Brother in our hearts.”

Brothers and Sisters, as always, we encourage you to all stay mindful of safety on the job. Though the investigation into Brother Joshua’s tragic passing is not complete, please remember to go over all safety precautions when working on railroad track and bridges. A link to a comprehensive safety reminder through our FAMES program is attached below. We ask you all to take time and review this valuable information with your union brothers and sisters on the job site. We all want to eliminate these tragic events.


Joshua played at the Zachary High School as a LB, at number 41.

• Jersey #: 41
• Positions: LB
• Class of: 2010

Team History

ZHS Boys Varsity Football

Zachary, LA
2009

 

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

By Josh Auzenne

September 5, 2018

BALDWIN, LA (WAFB) - 

The body of a missing railroad worker who reportedly fell into a canal Tuesday night has been found, authorities report.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says the body of Joshua Crocram, 26, of Zachary, was discovered Wednesday afternoon.

SMPSO initially responded to a report of a rail company employee who fell into the Baldwin Canal near Railroad Bridge around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Sheriff Scott Anslum thanks the U.S. Coast Guard, the Baldwin Fire Department, the Franklin Fire Department, and the Cajun Coast Search and Rescue Team for their assistance.

A forklift operator, 43, died after he got pinned between the forklift and a storage shelf inside The Chef's Warehouse in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx on Food Center Drive

A hard-working Bronx dad died in a horrific forklift accident at a Bronx warehouse early Thursday, when his head got wedged between the lift and a metal shelf, police said.

Shakeem Farnum, 43, was leaning out of the forklift, perhaps to get a clear sight line, when he got too close to a metal shelf inside The Chef’s Warehouse on Food Center Drive around 1 a.m., cops said.

His head was crushed between the forklift and the shelf. An EMS ambulance crew rushed him to Lincoln Hospital, where he died.

“He was working on his lunch break by himself. He was trying not to fall behind,” said a former co-worker, who was visiting Farnum’s family and friends in the courtyard of the Stevenson Commons apartment complex in Soundview, where the victim lived.


“It was a refrigerated warehouse and he was moving mostly large crates of milk on pallets. He was the hardest working guy in there,” said the co-worker, who wouldn’t give his name. “Everybody is devastated… he was one of the most experienced drivers there.”

Farnum, who worked at Chef’s Warehouse for about 20 years, would often take on the hard work to spare his less-experienced colleagues, the co-worker said.

“He was a real man. He was respected. He took care of his family and his grown daughter. He held his household down,” said family friend Michael Rivera, 35. “He also took care of his brother who died of cancer two years ago.”

Rivera added, “He was a mentor to all the young men out here.”

The Chef’s Warehouse released a statement about the accident Thursday.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic accident that took the life of our friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this most difficult time,” the statement reads. “We are committed to providing all our employees with a workplace environment that values safety above all else, and we will do everything possible to assist with the investigation of this accident.”


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NYPD: Forklift Operator Killed in Accident at NYC Warehouse
Authorities say a 43-year-old man has died in a forklift accident inside a New York City warehouse.


September 7, 2018 



NEW YORK, NY (AP) — Authorities say a 43-year-old man has died in a forklift accident inside a New York City warehouse.


The New York Police Department says officers responded around 1 a.m. Thursday to a 911 call reporting an injury at The Chef's Warehouse on Food Center Drive in the Bronx.


When officers arrived they found a forklift operator suffering from a severe head injury. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.


Late Thursday night police identified the victim as Shakeem Farnum of Lafayette Avenue in the Bronx.


Police say Farnum was operating a forklift when he leaned out of the vehicle and his head got wedged between the vehicle and a metal shelf.

The investigation into the accident is continuing.

The investigation remain ongoing, but authorities said no criminality is suspected.  Most likely his head was crushed by the storage shelf as he backed into it.