California Train Mishap Injures 20

Photo gives credit to the original owner, 

Diane Tuazon of CBS 47 TV.

At least 20 persons sustained injuries following the truck and train collision that occurred in Central California.

According to news reports, a tractor-trailer truck loaded with cotton seeds failed to yield at a rail crossing signal. Consequently, it crashed with an Amtrak passenger train near the city of Hanford, some 30 miles south of Fresno, Kings County. At least three of the five cars of the passenger train were pushed off the track due to the collision’s impact.

Previous news stories revealed that at least 20 passengers of the train have sustained minor to severe injuries from the incident. Most of the injuries incurred by the passengers were cuts, bumps, bruises, scrapes, and broken bones, according to Kings County Assistant Sheriff Dave Putnam.

Additionally, some of the injured were transported to the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno while others were rushed to nearby Adventist Medical Center in Hanford, authorities said.

Meanwhile, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson Jerry Pierce, the truck driver sustained minor injuries.

At present, investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash.

In addition, subsequent reports claimed that another truck and train collision occurred just a few miles away from the first incident, in which the truck driver was left with severe injuries, according to the CHP.

Basically, such train accidents consist of derailments, collision with other vehicles, and collision with trains. In some cases, accidents are due to mechanical failure and negligence. Incidentally, if the investigation on such accidents revealed evidences of negligence on the part of a certain party or individual, there are existing laws that could determine the extent of liability of the party responsible for the accident, according to a Los Angeles accident attorney.

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Arizona Carjacking Chase Ends with Suicide

A high-speed carjacking pursuit in Arizona ended with suicide after the carjacker shot himself.  The apparent suicide was unintentionally aired live on Fox News.

Initial reports revealed that the unidentified man who was being pursued by the police was first reported to have stolen a red SUV and was later reported to have been involved in a car accident.

Subsequently, when the police started to pursue the said suspect, the man began to shoot at police cars and a Fox News chopper that covered the high-speed chase along I-10 outside nearly 75 miles from the California border, according to Phoenix Police spokesperson, Tommy Thompson.

Even still, the camera from the chopper captured events from the moment wherein the SUV was seen zooming along Arizona’s wide open highway, flashing past vehicles, weaving through traffic, switching lanes until it reached a grassy area and came to a stop.

Eventually, the man was seen stepping out of the SUV, took out his gun, and shot himself in the head. Unfortunately, the said incident was likewise broadcasted live by Fox News.

Consequently, its news anchor, on behalf of Fox News, asked for an apology for airing the shooting while admitting that it’s insensitive and wrong. Also, Fox News claimed that the mistake was the result of severe human error. Through its statement, Fox explained that although the feed was five-seconds delayed, its crews failed to timely cut the video feed.

According to police, the suspect died at the scene. Fortunately, no civilians or police got injured in the wild chase.

Apparently, high-speed police pursuit is getting wilder and becoming more fatal. Therefore, authorities should definitely implement a stricter protocol during wild-chase, according to a Los Angeles auto accident attorney.

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Another California Police Pursuit Ends in Motorcycle Crash

Just a couple of weeks after the California police pursuit that killed a pedestrian, another police chase that occurred in Santa Rosa, California last Friday night severely injured a motorcyclist.

According to reports, a man trying to avoid a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer broke his back and sustained other minor injuries following a motorcycle accident.

CHP officials claimed that the man who was identified as Alexander Ketcham, 43, was spotted over speeding in his motor vehicle along River Road just west of Santa Rosa at around 9:46 in the evening last Friday.

Upon seeing the motorist accelerating to speeds in over 90 mph, the officer pursued the motorcycle south into Fulton Road and then west of Guerneville Road for about 4 miles and up until south in Frie Road before finally heading onto state Highway 116 wherein the motorcycle failed to overtake another car and then sideswiped the same.

Ketcham apparently lost control of his motorcycle and struck into a raised embankment and road sign. He was then ejected from his motorcycle and came to a stop on the north shoulder of the highway.

Ketcham broke his back and sustained cuts on his hands and arms. He was immediately transported to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. However, it did not exclude him from being arrested on suspicion of reckless evasion and possession of false license plate on his motorcycle, according to CHP officials.

Admittedly, driving around in an open vehicle such as a motorcycle can be extremely fun and exciting. However, just like in any other extreme activities that pose a lot of safety risks, motorcycle accident can happen.

Perhaps, Ketcham became overwhelmed by his motorcycle’s ability to accelerate faster than one can ever imagine, that is why he was not able to help himself from pushing its speed to the limit, speculated by a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

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Civil Rights Violation Victim Rodney King’s Death Ruled Drowning Accident

Several weeks after his death, authorities have now ruled Rodney King’s death as drowning accident.

Rodney King was found motionless lying at the bottom of his swimming pool by his fiancé, Cynthia Kelley in his home in Rialto, near Los Angeles last June 17.

According to reports, Kelley immediately called for help upon seeing her 47-year old fiancé drowning at the pool since she could not swim.  She tried to reach King using a pitchfork and hoe until authorities arrived and pulled King out of the water. Rodney was subsequently transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Finally, the investigation is now completed and based on the autopsy and toxicology report, King was in a state of drug and alcohol-induced delirium at the time of the terminal event and either fell or jumped into the swimming pool that led to his death.

Rialto Police Captain Randy DeAnda further explained that the combination of ethanol or alcohol and multiple drug toxicity have triggered an irregular heartbeat and made King unable to save himself from drowning.

In her statement, Kelley was in bed sleeping when she was awakened by a grunting and growling sound and then he saw King at the patio door having frothy secretions coming form his mouth. Therefore, Kelley went on to get her cell phone but while she was making a call, she heard a splash and by the time she got into the pool, she saw King lying face down in the deep end.

He was 47.

He became well-known after he was pulled over by four Los Angeles police officers for speeding on a dark street on March 3, 1991. He was severely beaten by the apprehending cops while a bystander incidentally filmed the scene showing him being repeatedly hit with batons, kicked, and shot with stun guns. The video was then broadcasted by media outlets all over the world.

Consequently, the incident left King with brain injury. Unfortunately, the officers involved in the beating were acquitted a year after the incident. The said acquittals inflicted racial issues and eventually triggered the 1999 Los Angeles riots wherein 53 people were killed and more than 2,000 were injured.

The huge riot required the presence of soldiers from the United States Army National Guard together with the United States Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton, California since local authorities can no longer control the riots. The damages incurred by the said outrage amounted to $1 billion to the State of California, according to reports.

Although drowning accidents can’t be avoided, there are some instances like in King’s case that are unavoidable due to several circumstances. Nevertheless, a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles felt somehow relieved that King’s case has been finally resolved.

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Rider Performing Stunt Dies in Motorcycle Accident

A 39-year-old motorcycle rider was killed in a motorcycle accident after performing a dangerous trick for his family.

According to reports, the incident happened at around 2:15 in the afternoon in 1100 block of First Place, just southwest of Pioneer Parkway West and Centennial Boulevard intersection.

Authorities said that the man, identified as Jeremy Kenneth Gale, was performing a motorcycle stunt called “wheelie” in his 2006 Yamaha motorcycle for his family, which includes his 9-year old nephew, when he lost control of his bike and slammed into a pole.

Although Gale was wearing a helmet at the time of incident, he possibly suffered “blunt force” injuries upon hitting a utility pole that caused his death, according to Sgt. Richard Jones.

Wheelie is a common motorcycle stunt wherein the front wheel of the motorcycle comes off the ground due to extreme twisting force being applied to the rear wheel. Usually, the driver primarily uses his or her body weight and steering to control the direction and the inertia of the spinning front wheel acting as a balance.

Based on the initial investigation, speed is apparently a major factor in the accident. Sgt. Jones further said in a news report that the California man was going fast enough that he was not able to control his vehicle to avoid the utility pole. Furthermore, authorities found out that Gale came from the city of Norco in Los Angeles and was just visiting his relatives who live in First Place, near the accident scene.

Obviously, in such kind of accident, there is no one to be blamed for. Although it might be distressful that someone had to die in order to learn his lesson, a Los Angeles bike accident lawyer is somehow grateful that nobody from the rider’s family incurred injury from the incident. However, he is likewise bothered for the victim’s nephew, who at his early age witnessed how a tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of one of his family members.

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