Just In

  • Justice Mcray Boyette, Taylorsville, North Carolina — Tow Truck Driver Dies After Fiery Head-On Crash

    Justice Mcray Boyette, 31, of Winston-Salem, was killed Monday morning after a tow truck he was driving crossed the center line and slammed into a tractor-trailer on U.S. 64 in Alexander County.

    The crash happened around 10:03 a.m. on September 21 near Adams Pond Road, east of Taylorsville. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene and began investigating the collision.

    According to authorities, Boyette was driving a 2024 Ram tow truck west on U.S. 64 when the truck crossed the center line and entered the path of an oncoming 2023 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The two vehicles then collided head-on.

    The crash quickly turned deadly. The Ram became fully engulfed in flames, and Boyette was trapped inside the truck. He suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

    The Freightliner was driven by 56-year-old Crystal Sue Austin of Lenoir. Austin was seriously injured in the crash and was airlifted to CMC Main for treatment.

    U.S. 64 was shut down for several hours as troopers worked at the scene and examined the wreck. The closure affected traffic along the highway while crews handled the aftermath of the fiery collision.

    The Highway Patrol later confirmed that no charges would be filed in connection with the crash. Investigators did not announce any additional criminal action related to the collision.

    For Boyette’s family and friends, the crash ended the life of a 31-year-old Winston-Salem man without warning. The official details tell what happened on the highway, but they cannot capture the personal loss now facing the people who knew him.

    Boyette’s death leaves his loved ones to deal with a sudden loss following an ordinary Monday morning that ended in tragedy. His name will now be remembered alongside the crash that took his life on U.S. 64.

    Justice Mcray Boyette was 31 years old and from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He died at the scene of the September 21 crash in Alexander County.

  • Cruz Evatt Ellenburg, Marietta, S.C.: 16-year-old dies after UTV rolls over on private property

    Cruz Evatt Ellenburg, Marietta, S.C.: 16-year-old dies after UTV rolls over on private property

    Cruz Evatt Ellenburg, a 16-year-old from Marietta, South Carolina, died Sunday after the UTV he was driving went off the roadway and rolled over on private property in Pickens County. The crash happened shortly before 5 p.m. on Sept. 20 along Dalton Road. Ellenburg was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The Pickens County Coroner’s Office said deputies and emergency personnel were called to the area at about 4:59 p.m. after the crash was reported. The UTV had left the roadway before overturning. Officials said Ellenburg was not wearing a restraint when the crash happened.

    Ellenburg was a 10th-grade student at Pickens High School. His death quickly reached beyond his family and into the school community, where he was known as a student, football player, teammate and friend. School officials said counselors and other support staff were made available to students and employees following his death.

    At Pickens High, Ellenburg had been part of the football program. Coaches said he played quarterback as a freshman before moving to wide receiver as a sophomore. His coaches and teachers remembered him for his work in the classroom, his time with teammates and the small daily interactions that made him familiar around school.

    Pickens High Principal Lucius Culpepper said Ellenburg had already made an impression on the school community. He described him as a strong student, an athlete and a friend to many. Football coach James Reynolds also remembered him as a dedicated player and teammate and said the program would miss his smile, energy and talent.

    Other members of the football staff spoke about the teenager’s character and his relationships with teammates. One teacher also recalled how Ellenburg regularly said goodbye or told teachers he would see them the next day. Those ordinary moments have taken on a much heavier meaning for people who knew him.

    The School District of Pickens County said it was deeply saddened by Ellenburg’s death and asked the community to support his family, friends, classmates and everyone connected to Pickens High. The district said it would not release additional details about the accident out of respect for the family.

    The crash remains under investigation by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. A forensic autopsy is expected to be scheduled as part of the investigation. Officials have not released a cause for why the UTV left the roadway.

    For Ellenburg’s family, classmates and teammates, the focus now is on remembering a teenager whose life ended suddenly. At Pickens High, counselors and support staff are helping students and employees deal with the loss as the school community mourns one of its own.

  • Cruz Evatt Ellenburg, Marietta, S.C.: Pickens High football player killed in UTV rollover

    Cruz Evatt Ellenburg, Marietta, S.C.: Pickens High football player killed in UTV rollover

    Cruz Evatt Ellenburg was getting through his sophomore year at Pickens High School and playing football when his life was cut short in a UTV crash Sunday. The 16-year-old Marietta resident died after the vehicle went off the roadway on private property along Dalton Road in Pickens County and rolled over. The crash happened shortly before 5 p.m. Sept. 20.

    The Pickens County Coroner’s Office identified Ellenburg as the driver. Officials said he was unrestrained when the UTV left the roadway and overturned. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is being investigated by the coroner’s office and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

    News of Ellenburg’s death hit Pickens High hard. He was a 10th-grade student and a member of the school’s football program. The school district said counselors and additional support personnel were available at the school to help students and staff dealing with the loss.

    Ellenburg had played quarterback during his freshman season and was playing wide receiver this year. Coaches remembered him as a committed player and teammate, but they also talked about the person he was away from the field. His teachers described him as a student who made an impression through simple, everyday interactions.

    Pickens High football coach James Reynolds called Ellenburg a dedicated player, teammate and friend. He said the team would miss his smile, energy and talent. Another coach remembered the toughness Ellenburg showed as a freshman quarterback and the ability he displayed after moving to receiver.

    There were also the smaller memories. One Pickens High teacher recalled that Ellenburg routinely returned farewells at the end of class. He would say goodbye or tell teachers he would see them tomorrow. Those brief exchanges were part of his normal school routine, and they are now among the memories being shared by people who knew him.

    The School District of Pickens County said Ellenburg’s death had affected his family, classmates, friends and the wider Pickens High community. School officials asked families to keep his loved ones in their thoughts and said the district would not release more information about the crash out of respect for the family.

    Investigators have not said what caused the UTV to leave the roadway. A forensic autopsy will be scheduled, while the Pickens County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office continue examining the circumstances of the crash. No further details about the accident have been released by authorities.

    For a school that knew Ellenburg as more than a name in a report, the loss is being felt in classrooms, hallways and on the football field. His teammates, teachers and classmates are now left with the memories of a 16-year-old whose school year ended far too suddenly.

  • Mark “Loj” Rochester, New York: Hockey Community Mourns a Friend Who Helped Bring Players Together

    Mark “Loj” spent nearly two decades around Rochester hockey, becoming a familiar name at the rinks and a trusted friend to many people who shared the sport with him. His death has now brought together teammates, friends and others who knew him through the local hockey community.

    His connection to the sport stretched back to the mid-2000s, when he worked at ESL Hockey Arena. Later, Lakeshore Hockey Arena became another important part of his life. Mark regularly played Thursday night hockey there with the Fat Guys, surrounded by friends and teammates he had known through the years.

    But Mark’s role in Rochester hockey was not limited to playing. He helped create the Tourney of Beers and became known as the event’s “godfather.” The tournament grew into an important gathering for people connected to the local hockey scene and reflected Mark’s interest in keeping people connected through the sport.

    That part of his personality is now standing out in the memories being shared about him. Friends describe him as a great guy, a longtime Lakeshore fixture and an old teammate. More than any hockey connection, though, they remember him as someone they were proud to call a friend.

    Mark’s personal life was also changing in the months before his death. He had recently married Tammy in Turks and Caicos in January. A friend who had created the logo for their wedding later turned parts of that design into a memorial tribute for Mark.

    The tribute brought together several personal pieces of Mark’s life. It featured photographs of Mark and Tammy, pictures of his dogs and the puck from the Penalty Box Pub logo. For people who knew him, those details offered a way to remember the person behind the hockey player.

    His wife, family and close friends are now left with those memories. Kerbs, Bobby, Jeff and Corey were among the friends connected to Mark’s wider circle, showing just how many relationships he formed during his years around Rochester hockey.

    For longtime players at Lakeshore, Mark was part of the routine. He was there for the games, the conversations and the time spent with friends before and after the puck dropped. Those simple moments became part of what people are now remembering most.

    His story is also tied to the people he brought together. Through the Tourney of Beers, Thursday night hockey and his years around Rochester’s rinks, Mark became a familiar part of a community that extended beyond the ice.

    Now, the people who knew him are left remembering a teammate, a friend and someone who gave a lot of his time to a sport that meant so much to him. The games will continue, but the people who played alongside Mark will notice that one familiar face is no longer there.

    Mark “Loj” will be remembered by Tammy, his family, his friends, his teammates and the many people he met through hockey in the Rochester area. His years around the rink left behind friendships and memories that will continue long after the games are over.

    Rest in peace, Loj.

  • Mark “Loj” Rochester, New York: Beloved Hockey Fixture Remembered by Friends

    Mark “Loj” was a familiar face around Rochester’s hockey scene for nearly two decades, and his passing has left friends, teammates and the wider local hockey community mourning a man they knew as much for his friendship as for his love of the game.

    Mark became part of the Rochester hockey community in the mid-2000s while working at ESL Hockey Arena. Years later, he remained a regular at Lakeshore Hockey Arena, where Thursday night hockey brought him together with friends and teammates on the Fat Guys.

    For the people who knew him there, Mark was not simply another player showing up for a game. He became one of those familiar faces who seemed to be part of the rink itself. His connection to Lakeshore grew over the years, and so did the friendships he made around the ice.

    Mark was also known as the “godfather” of the Tourney of Beers. He helped create the event, which became a notable part of the local hockey scene. His involvement showed how much he enjoyed bringing hockey people together, even when he was not on the ice.

    Friends are remembering Mark as a great guy, an old teammate and, above all, a friend. Names including Kerbs, Bobby, Jeff and Corey are part of the circle of people who shared time with him and now find themselves looking back on years of games, conversations and memories.

    His recent marriage to Tammy has also become part of the tributes being shared in his memory. Mark and Tammy were married in Turks and Caicos in January, and a friend who had designed their wedding logo later used parts of that design for a memorial tribute.

    The tribute included photographs of Mark and Tammy, along with pictures of his dogs and the puck from the Penalty Box Pub logo. The details were personal reminders of the people, places and moments that were important to Mark and those closest to him.

    For Tammy, Mark’s family and his closest friends, his death has brought a painful loss. For the Rochester hockey community, it also means saying goodbye to someone who had been part of its story for years.

    Mark’s connection to hockey went beyond the games themselves. He helped create an event, played with friends, spent countless nights around the rink and built relationships that lasted well beyond a single season. That is what many people are now holding onto as they remember him.

    The people who shared the ice with Mark will remember the Thursday nights, the teammates, the laughs and the many ordinary moments that became meaningful over time. At Lakeshore, he was a familiar presence, and his absence will be felt by the people who knew him there.

    Mark “Loj” is being remembered by his wife Tammy, his family, friends, teammates and the many people he met through Rochester hockey. For those who knew him, the memories built around the rink will remain a lasting part of his story.

    Rest in peace, Loj.

  • Tyler Thomas’ Death Leaves Family and Friends Mourning

    Tyler Thomas has reportedly died, leaving family members, friends and others who knew him mourning his passing.

    News of Thomas’ death has brought sadness to people who cared about him. Those close to Tyler are now looking back on the relationships they shared with him and the memories they made together.

    Details about Tyler’s life remain limited at this time. Information about his age, hometown and personal background has not been sufficiently established from the details available.

    For family and friends, his death has created a difficult absence. The people who knew Tyler are left with conversations, experiences and everyday moments that became part of their lives together.

    As word of his reported death continues to spread, those who knew him are remembering the place he held in their lives. His family, friends and others who formed connections with him are now dealing with the loss in their own way.

    The cause of Tyler Thomas’ death has not been publicly confirmed in the information available. The circumstances surrounding his death also remain unclear, and no verified details have been provided about what happened.

    Because of the limited information available, claims about Tyler’s death should be treated carefully until additional details are released by his family, authorities, a funeral home or another authorized source.

    Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements for Tyler Thomas have not been publicly provided in the available information. For now, those who knew him are left to remember him through the time they shared and the memories he left behind.

  • Tyler Thomas’ Passing Leaves Loved Ones With Memories

    Tyler Thomas has reportedly died, leaving family members, friends and others who knew him grieving his loss.

    The news has brought sadness to people who cared about Tyler. Those who shared parts of his life are now remembering the conversations, experiences and ordinary moments that became meaningful over time.

    There are still few confirmed details about his life and death. His age, hometown and other personal information have not been sufficiently established in the available information.

    For the people closest to him, the loss means facing an absence that cannot simply be filled. Family members and friends are left with memories of the time they spent with Tyler and the connections they built with him.

    As news of his reported death reaches more people, those who knew him may continue to reflect on his life and the role he played in theirs. Every relationship leaves its own set of memories, and those memories can become especially important after a loss.

    The cause of Tyler Thomas’ death has not been publicly confirmed. The circumstances surrounding his death have also not been established, leaving important questions unanswered.

    Until more information comes from Tyler’s family, authorities, a funeral home or another authorized source, unconfirmed claims about his death should be approached with caution.

    No funeral, visitation or memorial arrangements have been publicly provided in the information available. For now, Tyler’s family, friends and loved ones are left remembering the person they knew while waiting for further confirmed details.

  • Joseph Castro, Casa Grande, Arizona: 18-year-old killed outside house party as 16-year-old is arrested

    Joseph Castro had turned 18 only about two weeks before his life ended in a shooting outside a house party in Casa Grande early Sunday morning.

    Casa Grande police said officers were called to the 1200 block of East Delano Drive at about 1:20 a.m. on September 20 after several reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found Castro outside the home with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The shooting happened near the Trekell Road and Rodeo Road area, where a party was underway. The sudden burst of gunfire sent people running from the area as police arrived. A neighbor later said she heard several quick shots before seeing people scatter and cars leave the area.

    Castro’s father said he had briefly left the home to go to a gas station. When he returned, he found his son lying in the driveway. Family members later gathered outside the home and lit candles at the spot where Castro was killed.

    Police initially searched for whoever was responsible and worked to identify a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting. Detectives used resources from the city’s Safe City Initiative, including Flock automated license plate readers, to track down the vehicle in Casa Grande just hours after the shooting.

    Officers then carried out a high-risk traffic stop and took a 16-year-old driver into custody without incident. The teenager was booked into the Pinal County Juvenile Detention Facility and is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct with a firearm, minor in possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

    Police have also said the investigation is not over. Detectives have obtained significant evidence indicating that additional suspects may have been involved in the shooting. The events that led to the gunfire and the role of any other people remain under investigation.

    For Castro’s family, the case is now about trying to understand how a teenager who had only recently reached adulthood was suddenly gone. His father described him as responsible and said the home would not be the same without him.

    Authorities are continuing to seek information from anyone who may have seen what happened before, during or after the shooting. The investigation remains active as detectives work to determine the full circumstances surrounding Castro’s death.

  • Joseph Castro, Casa Grande, Arizona: Father returns from gas station to find son fatally shot at house party

    Joseph Castro’s father was gone from the house for only a short time. When he came back early Sunday, his 18-year-old son was lying in the driveway after a shooting outside a house party in Casa Grande.

    Police said the gunfire broke out around 1:20 a.m. September 20 in the 1200 block of East Delano Drive. Officers had received multiple reports of shots being fired outside the home. When they arrived, they found Castro with multiple gunshot wounds. He was already dead.

    The shooting took place near Trekell Road and Rodeo Road while a party was being held at the residence. A neighbor said she heard several shots and then saw people running down the street and cars leaving the area. She also saw a neighbor attempting to perform CPR on Castro before police arrived.

    Castro had turned 18 just two weeks earlier. His father later said he had left the home to make a quick trip to a gas station and had told his son that everyone needed to be gone when he returned. Instead, he came back to a scene he never expected to see.

    By Monday, investigators had made an arrest. Detectives identified a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting and used Flock automated license plate readers through the city’s Safe City Initiative to locate it in Casa Grande. A high-risk traffic stop followed, and a 16-year-old driver was taken into custody without incident.

    The juvenile was booked into the Pinal County Juvenile Detention Facility. Police said the teenager faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct with a firearm, minor in possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

    Investigators believe the case may involve more people. Police said they have obtained significant evidence indicating that additional suspects were involved in the shooting. Officials have not released all the details about what happened before the gunfire or explained the roles of those other people.

    Family members returned to the home Sunday afternoon and lit candles where Castro was killed. His father said the family was struggling to accept what had happened and described his son as responsible and mature for his age.

    The investigation remains active as police work to establish the full sequence of events. Detectives are still looking for information that could help explain why the shooting happened and identify anyone else connected to it.

  • Andre Cleveland Rochester, New York: Police say shooting victim was not the intended target

    Andre Cleveland was leaving a parking lot on Rochester’s East Main Street when he was shot in the early hours of Sept. 12. Four days later, the 32-year-old died from his injuries, turning the case into a homicide that police are still working to solve.

    The shooting happened around 12:45 a.m. near Indiana Street, close to East High School. Cleveland was driving out of the parking lot at 1899 E. Main St. when someone fired at him, according to Rochester police.

    Cleveland did not die at the scene. He was taken for medical care and remained alive for several days after the shooting. Police said he ultimately died from his injuries on Sept. 16.

    One of the key points in the investigation is that detectives do not believe Cleveland was the intended target. Police have not publicly identified the person who may have been targeted or explained why the gunfire erupted.

    That leaves investigators with several important questions. They are trying to establish what led to the shooting, who fired the weapon and what Cleveland’s final moments outside the parking lot looked like.

    So far, no suspect is in custody and no charges have been filed. The Rochester Police Department’s Major Crimes Homicide Unit is handling the investigation.

    Police are asking anyone with information to contact investigators. Video could also be important, especially footage from the area around East Main Street and Indiana Street around the time of the shooting.

    Anyone who witnessed the incident or has useful video can call 911, the Major Crimes Unit at (585) 428-7157, or Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300. Tips can also be emailed to MajorCrimes@cityofrochester.gov.

    Cleveland’s death has left a family grieving while investigators continue looking for answers. The circumstances that led to the shooting remain under investigation, but police are asking the public to help provide whatever information may move the case forward.