Category: Uncategorized

  • Roy Day, Dunbar, West Virginia: Two drivers killed in four-vehicle crash on toll bridge

    Roy Day, 68, of Hurricane, and Alison Straughter-Ross, 58, of Nitro, were killed Monday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash on the Dunbar Toll Bridge in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

    The crash happened around 3:10 p.m. Monday on the bridge, where four vehicles were involved. Police said two of the vehicles were involved in a head-on collision. The South Charleston Police Department later confirmed the identities of the two people who died.

    Day and Straughter-Ross, who was also known as “Tootie” Ross, both died from injuries suffered in the crash. The early information released by police did not explain what caused the head-on collision or how the four vehicles became involved.

    Investigators had not yet released a full account of what happened on the bridge. It was also not immediately clear how many other people were hurt or how serious their injuries were. Authorities had not announced any citations or criminal charges in the preliminary report.

    The Dunbar Toll Bridge is an important crossing in the Charleston metropolitan area. It sits in the Kanawha Valley near Dunbar, South Charleston and Nitro, west of Charleston.

    The South Charleston Police Department is investigating the crash. Investigators are expected to review the movements of all four vehicles and piece together what happened before the head-on impact.

    For now, the deaths of Day and Straughter-Ross remain the central confirmed details in the case. Both victims were identified by police after the Monday afternoon collision, while the investigation into what led to the crash continues.

  • Ja’Marion Grace, San Jose, California: College Football Player Killed in Highway 101 Crash

    Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace, a 19-year-old College of San Mateo football player, was killed in a weekend crash in San Jose, leaving his teammates and loved ones facing a sudden loss. Grace was a freshman defensive back for the Bulldogs and was from Fairfield, California. Two of his teammates were also injured in the crash, with one still hospitalized with serious injuries and the other recovering at home.

    The crash happened early Sunday morning on Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Authorities said a 2013 Ford Fusion was traveling north when the driver lost control. The vehicle was involved in a solo crash at about 2:06 a.m.

    Grace was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries, the CHP reported. Another 19-year-old man from San Mateo, identified as the driver, was taken to a hospital with major injuries. The details released by authorities match the crash involving a 19-year-old Fairfield man who was killed and another man who was seriously hurt.

    Grace had just been on the football field hours before the crash. The College of San Mateo Bulldogs had beaten Modesto Junior College 45-16 on Saturday night in San Mateo. The win left the team with a 3-1 record before the tragedy struck.

    For the Bulldogs, Grace was more than a player on the roster. Teammates described him as a brother, and people close to him knew him by the nickname “Pop.” A fundraiser organized for his family described him as a son, grandson, brother and friend whose presence brought love, laughter and warmth to the people around him.

    Grace had recently graduated from Vanden High School in Fairfield before beginning his college football career at San Mateo. His death came just as he was starting the next part of his life as a college athlete.

    College of San Mateo President Jennifer Taylor met with members of the football program Monday morning. She said the care shown among the players, coaches and wider college community stood out during the difficult time. The college has also asked the community to support Grace’s family and the two injured student-athletes.

    The two injured players have not been publicly identified by the college. One remains in the hospital with serious injuries, while the other is recovering at home. Their injuries have added another layer of worry for the teammates, families and friends dealing with the crash.

    A fundraiser for Grace’s funeral expenses was also launched as his family began making arrangements. By Monday evening, it had raised $15,691 toward a $28,000 goal. The campaign said donations would help cover funeral costs and support the family during the loss.

    Grace’s death has left the College of San Mateo football program dealing with a loss that came only hours after a game and a win. His teammates now have to return to a season that began with football, but was suddenly changed by the loss of one of their own.

  • Ja’Marion Grace, San Jose, California: Weekend Crash Claims College Football Player After Team Win

    Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace had just helped his College of San Mateo football team finish a 45-16 win over Modesto Junior College when his life was cut short in a crash hours later. The 19-year-old freshman defensive back from Fairfield was killed early Sunday morning, according to the college and crash information released by the California Highway Patrol.

    The crash was reported at about 2:06 a.m. on Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road in San Jose. CHP said a 2013 Ford Fusion was traveling north when the driver lost control, leading to a solo crash. Grace was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries.

    The crash also injured two other College of San Mateo student-athletes. The college has not released their names. One was still hospitalized with serious injuries, while the other was recovering at home, according to College President Jennifer Taylor.

    The timing made the loss especially hard for the Bulldogs football community. Just hours earlier, Grace had been part of a team that improved to 3-1 with its win over Modesto Junior College. By Monday, teammates and coaches were dealing with the death of a player they considered more than just a teammate.

    Grace was known as “Pop” by those close to him. A fundraiser organized for his family remembered him as a son, grandson, brother and friend. The campaign said his presence brought love, laughter and warmth to the people who knew him.

    Before playing for College of San Mateo, Grace played football at Vanden High School in Fairfield. He had graduated from the school in 2025 and was beginning his college football career with the Bulldogs. His death came at a point when that new chapter was only getting started.

    The CHP also reported that another 19-year-old man from San Mateo was taken to a hospital with major injuries after the crash. Authorities identified the person killed as a 19-year-old man from Fairfield, details that correspond with Grace’s age and hometown.

    Taylor met with the football program Monday morning as players and coaches faced the loss. She spoke about the care and togetherness within the team and the larger College of San Mateo community. The college has also emphasized the need for support as the players and families deal with what happened.

    A fundraiser for Grace’s family was seeking $28,000 for funeral expenses. By Monday evening, it had collected $15,691, with more donations continuing afterward. The campaign asked supporters to help the family with funeral costs and other needs during the difficult days ahead.

    For Grace’s teammates, the weekend began with a football victory and ended with the loss of a young player they called a brother. The Bulldogs are now left remembering a freshman defensive back whose time with the team was brief, but whose place within the football community had already become meaningful.

  • Edwin Lynch, New Haven, Ohio: 74-Year-Old Dies Days After Pickup Collides With Semi

    Edwin Lynch, 74, of Willard, Ohio, died Sunday, four days after a crash involving his pickup truck and a semi in New Haven Township, Huron County. He had suffered serious injuries in the September 16 collision and was taken to a Cleveland hospital for treatment.

    The crash happened around 10:15 a.m. at the intersection of State Route 61 and State Route 103. According to the preliminary investigation, Lynch was driving a 2018 Toyota Tundra eastbound on State Route 103 when his pickup failed to stop at the posted stop sign at State Route 61.

    The Toyota then struck a northbound 2025 Mack Pinnacle semi-truck. The semi was driven by Eric Smith, 35, of Mansfield. The force of the crash left Lynch with serious injuries and brought emergency crews rushing to the intersection.

    Lynch was treated at the scene before being flown by Cleveland Metro Life Flight to Cleveland Metro Hospital. He remained under medical care for several days, but his injuries proved fatal. He was pronounced dead on September 20.

    Smith was not injured in the crash. Authorities said both drivers were wearing their seat belts when the collision occurred.

    The response at the scene involved several local agencies. The Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Willard Fire Department, North Central EMS, Cleveland Metro Life Flight and White’s Towing assisted the Ohio State Highway Patrol during the emergency response and investigation.

    The intersection was closed for about an hour as crews worked at the scene and investigators began documenting what had happened. Traffic was later allowed to resume after the emergency response and initial investigation were completed.

    For Lynch’s family and those who knew him, the crash ended with a loss that came days after the initial collision. What began as a morning trip on a Huron County roadway turned into a medical emergency and, four days later, a death.

    The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post continues to investigate the crash. The preliminary findings identify the failure to stop at the posted stop sign as part of the circumstances being examined, but the investigation remains ongoing.

    Lynch is remembered as a 74-year-old Willard resident whose life came to an unexpected end following the crash. His death has left family, friends and others who knew him dealing with the loss while investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances of the collision.

  • Edwin Lynch, New Haven, Ohio: Missed Stop Sign Ends in Fatal Huron County Crash

    Edwin Lynch was seriously hurt when his Toyota Tundra collided with a semi-truck in New Haven Township on September 16. Four days later, the 74-year-old Willard man died from his injuries.

    The crash was reported at about 10:15 a.m. at the intersection of State Route 61 and State Route 103 in Huron County. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said its preliminary investigation found that Lynch was traveling east on State Route 103 in a 2018 Toyota Tundra.

    Lynch’s pickup failed to stop at the posted stop sign at State Route 61. As he entered the intersection, the Toyota struck a northbound 2025 Mack Pinnacle semi-truck operated by Eric Smith, 35, of Mansfield.

    The collision left Lynch with serious injuries. Emergency crews responded, and he was eventually flown by Cleveland Metro Life Flight to Cleveland Metro Hospital for treatment. Despite receiving medical care, Lynch was pronounced dead at the hospital on September 20.

    Smith escaped the crash without injuries. Both Lynch and Smith were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, according to authorities.

    Several emergency and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. The Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Willard Fire Department, North Central EMS, Cleveland Metro Life Flight and White’s Towing assisted the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

    The crash also forced a temporary closure of the intersection. State Route 61 and State Route 103 were shut down for roughly an hour while emergency crews handled the scene and investigators worked to document the collision.

    The death came four days after the crash, turning a serious traffic collision into a fatal investigation. For Lynch’s family and friends, those four days brought uncertainty before they learned that he had died from the injuries he suffered on the roadway.

    The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is still investigating the crash. The information released so far comes from the preliminary investigation, and authorities have not announced that the investigation is complete.

    Lynch, a Willard resident, was 74 years old. His death adds another painful chapter to a crash that began at a rural Huron County intersection on a September morning and ended with the loss of his life four days later.

    Incident location: Intersection of State Route 61 and State Route 103, New Haven Township, Huron County, Ohio.

  • Dwayne Antonio Harvey, Oak Park, Michigan: “Teach Harvey” remembered after fatal Uber crash

    Dwayne Antonio Harvey, 59, spent part of his life inside a classroom and part of his evenings behind the wheel. On Sept. 17, those two parts of his life came together in a tragedy that took his life at Eight Mile Road and Coolidge Highway in Oak Park, Michigan. Harvey, a Detroit resident and Oak Park High School teacher, was working as an Uber driver when the crash occurred.

    Harvey was driving a Buick Envision when it was struck by a black Dodge Charger traveling east on Eight Mile Road. Police said the Charger driver disregarded the traffic signal at the intersection. The Buick was traveling north on Coolidge Highway and had the right of way. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses supported investigators’ account of how the crash happened.

    The collision happened at about 11 p.m. Officers found a 23-year-old rear-seat passenger from the Buick lying in the roadway after he was ejected during the impact. He was conscious and breathing when officers arrived. Emergency crews took him to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition.

    Harvey was not as fortunate. He had to be extricated from the Buick with assistance from the Detroit Fire Department. Oak Park officers treated him before he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities later confirmed that he had been working an Uber shift at the time.

    The crash also left the other driver with minor injuries. Police identified him as Tracy Darwin Sutton, a 19-year-old Detroit man. Sutton was taken into custody after investigators said intoxication was believed to be a factor. His 18-year-old female passenger was not injured.

    Sutton appeared in 45B District Court on Sept. 20 and was arraigned on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury. The court set his bond at $2 million cash or surety without a 10% provision. Any release would come with home confinement, GPS and alcohol monitoring, along with a ban on driving.

    Harvey’s death has drawn attention beyond the crash itself because of the role he held at Oak Park High School. He was known as “Teach Harvey” and was remembered by city officials as an educator, mentor and role model who helped young people learn and develop. The school community is now dealing with the loss of a teacher whose work reached far beyond a normal classroom day.

    Investigators have not closed the case. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is helping with the crash reconstruction, and detectives are continuing to review video and interview witnesses. Sutton’s next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 28.

    As officers worked the original crash scene, another vehicle later struck a Berkley police cruiser that had been left unoccupied while officers assisted with the investigation. The officer was not hurt, and the second driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

  • Dwayne Antonio Harvey, Oak Park, Michigan: Teacher and Uber driver killed in late-night crash

    Dwayne Antonio Harvey, 59, of Detroit, was identified as the Uber driver killed in a crash at Eight Mile Road and Coolidge Highway in Oak Park, Michigan. Harvey was working an evening shift as an Uber driver when the collision happened around 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. He was also a teacher at Oak Park High School, where he was known by many as “Teach Harvey.”

    The crash involved Harvey’s Buick Envision and a black Dodge Charger. Police said the Charger was traveling east on Eight Mile Road while the Buick was heading north on Coolidge Highway. Investigators determined that the Charger driver disregarded the traffic signal and struck the Buick, which had the right of way. Nearby surveillance video later confirmed the circumstances of the crash.

    When Oak Park Public Safety officers arrived, they found a 23-year-old man lying in the eastbound lanes of Eight Mile Road. He had been riding in the rear seat of the Buick and was thrown from the vehicle during the crash. He was conscious and breathing when officers reached him, but his injuries were serious. He was taken to a local hospital and remained in critical condition.

    Harvey was trapped inside the Buick and had to be removed with help from the Detroit Fire Department. Officers provided medical care at the scene before he was taken to a hospital. He was later pronounced dead. Investigators then confirmed that he had been working as an Uber driver when the crash occurred.

    The driver of the Charger was identified as Tracy Darwin Sutton, 19, of Detroit. He suffered minor injuries and was taken into custody. His 18-year-old female passenger was not injured. Police said they believed intoxication played a role in the crash.

    Sutton was arraigned Sept. 20 in 45B District Court on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and operating while intoxicated causing serious injury. His bond was set at $2 million cash or surety, with no 10% provision. If released, he is subject to home confinement with GPS and alcohol monitoring and is prohibited from driving. His next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 28.

    For Harvey’s students and colleagues, the crash has brought a painful loss to the Oak Park school community. City officials described him as an educator, mentor and role model who spent his career helping young people learn, grow and succeed. His death has also left family, friends and former students remembering the man they knew as “Teach Harvey.”

    The investigation is still moving forward. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with accident reconstruction, while detectives continue reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses. The criminal case against Sutton will now continue through the court system.

    The deadly crash also led to another collision while police were still working at the scene. A vehicle struck an unoccupied Berkley Police Department patrol car that was assisting with the investigation. The officer was not inside the cruiser and was not injured. The driver of that vehicle was evaluated at the scene and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

  • Kyle Conner, Ferrisburgh, Vermont: Loved ones seek answers after motorcycle crash kills 31-year-old

    Kyle Conner’s family says the hardest part has been going home without him. The 31-year-old Monkton man was killed after his motorcycle was rear-ended on Route 7 in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, leaving his family to grieve while a criminal case moves through court.

    The crash happened on Aug. 26 as Conner traveled south on Route 7. Police said he stopped on his 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport while trying to turn left into a business. A Nissan Altima driven by Faith Hobson, 30, of Vergennes, struck the motorcycle from behind.

    Emergency crews rushed Conner to the University of Vermont Medical Center after he suffered serious injuries. Doctors and medical workers tried to save him, but he died at the hospital. Police said the road was dry and the weather was clear when the crash occurred.

    Investigators said they noticed signs of impairment while speaking with Hobson at the scene. She was arrested and later faced two felony DUI counts and a charge of grossly negligent operation resulting in death. She pleaded not guilty and was released with conditions, including a ban on driving and drinking alcohol.

    The case brought Conner’s family and supporters back into court on Sept. 21. Many wore “Justice for Kyle” shirts as they waited for the proceedings. His mother, BobbiJo, said the uncertainty has made it harder for the family to begin healing.

    Away from the courtroom, Conner is being remembered for the life he built. He became a master electrician after completing a four-year electrical apprenticeship and owned his own electrical contracting business. His obituary describes him as skilled, dependable and well-liked in his community.

    Motorcycles were another major part of his life. Conner collected motorcycles, traveled across the country and organized rides with friends. He also shared five years with his girlfriend, Monique, and was proud of his role as Uncle Kyle to his nephew, Cullen.

    Now his family wants his death to lead to changes in how DUI cases involving serious injury or death are handled. They say they do not want another family to face the same loss. The court is expected to schedule another hearing in mid-December as the case continues.

  • Kyle Conner, Ferrisburgh, Vermont: Family pushes for change after fatal Route 7 crash

    Kyle Conner’s family returned to court in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, still carrying the pain of losing him. The 31-year-old Monkton man died after his motorcycle was struck from behind on Route 7, and his loved ones are now pressing for accountability and changes to DUI laws.

    Conner was riding his 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport south on Route 7 on Aug. 26 when he stopped in the roadway to make a left turn into a business. A 2012 Nissan Altima driven by 30-year-old Faith Hobson of Vergennes then struck the back of his motorcycle.

    Conner suffered serious injuries and was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Despite efforts to save him, he died at the hospital. Vermont State Police said troopers noticed signs of impairment while speaking with Hobson after the crash.

    Hobson was charged with two felony DUI counts and grossly negligent operation resulting in death. She pleaded not guilty and was released under court conditions that bar her from driving and drinking alcohol. She also must submit to alcohol testing when requested.

    For Conner’s family, the case has been about far more than a court file. Family members and friends filled the courtroom on Sept. 21 wearing “Justice for Kyle” shirts. His mother, BobbiJo, said the wait for the case to move forward has been difficult for the family.

    Conner was remembered as a master electrician, motorcycle enthusiast and someone who was quick to help people around him. His obituary says he completed a four-year electrical apprenticeship, became a master electrician and owned Conner Electrical Contracting. He was also known for motorcycle trips and rides with friends across Vermont and beyond.

    His sister, Nicole, and his mother have spoken about how much he meant to the people around him. Friends and relatives have continued to gather and remember the man behind the crash report — a son, brother, uncle, partner and friend whose life ended at 31.

    The family is also pushing for changes aimed at how Vermont handles DUI cases involving death or serious injury. Their goal is to use Kyle’s death to press for stronger action in cases involving impaired driving, while the criminal case against Hobson continues through the courts. A further hearing is expected in December.

  • Marie Normil Accomack County, Virginia: Woman Dies After Route 13 Crash, Truck Driver Charged

    Marie R. Normil, 59, was killed early Friday morning after a crash involving a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer in Accomack County, Virginia. The crash happened around 4:41 a.m. on Sept. 18 at the intersection of northbound Route 13 and Baylys Neck Road.

    Normil was riding as a passenger in a 2004 Nissan Frontier when it was involved in the collision with a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia. She suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Her next of kin has been notified.

    The man driving the Nissan was also injured and taken to a hospital. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

    Virginia State Police identified the driver of the Freightliner as 26-year-old Mamurjon Djumabaev of Philadelphia. Police later charged him with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving resulting in death or injury.

    The crash happened before sunrise, at a busy intersection along Route 13. The details of exactly how the two vehicles collided have not been fully released, and the investigation remains ongoing.

    For Normil’s family, the crash has left behind a loss that cannot be measured by the brief details of a police report. She was 59 and lived in Accomack County, where she was known as part of the local community.

    Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the collision or whether more charges could follow.

    The case now moves forward with Djumabaev facing the two charges filed in connection with the crash. Meanwhile, Normil’s family is left to deal with the loss of a loved one whose life ended in a sudden collision on an Eastern Shore road.