Category: News

Jul 20

Driver Ejected and Charged After SUV Crash in Burke County

Accident Details and Charges

On Thursday evening, a serious accident occurred on Goldmine Road in Burke County, leading to the ejection of Irina Vladimirinova Biddle, 50, from her BMW SUV. Biddle, who was charged with driving while impaired (DWI), failure to maintain lane control, and not wearing a seatbelt, was seen by witnesses swerving before veering off the road and rolling her vehicle. The incident, which happened around 7:46 p.m., has resulted in significant injuries for Biddle, who was ejected through the sunroof.

Response and Ongoing Investigation

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and worked quickly to manage the aftermath, including addressing the presence of Biddle’s dog in the vehicle. The dog was safely taken into custody by Burke County Animal Control, while Biddle’s injuries were severe enough to warrant an airlift to a trauma center. During questioning, Biddle admitted to drinking before the crash, which has compounded the legal ramifications of her actions.

Jul 20

Dashcam video shows stolen vehicle crashing on East Beltline, raising concerns over rising car thefts in Kent County

KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Dashcam video from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office shows a stolen SUV crashing into another vehicle on East Beltline and Burton. Five people can be seen running from the scene. Police arrested three teenagers, and two are still at large.

A loaded handgun was found on one of the teens arrested.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 25-year-old man from Grand Rapids, is expected to be released from the hospital.

The sheriff’s office has confirmed that the SUV was stolen from a neighborhood off of Village Springs DR SE in Ada around 6:30 Thursday morning, after the owner had left the keys inside the vehicle.

According to police, car thefts are becoming more common not just in Grand Rapids, but in Kent County as well.

As of June this year 615 vehicle thefts have taken place in Grand Rapids alone, almost 100 more than this time last year. 187 thefts have occurred in the rest of Kent County this year.
In Kent County last year 358 vehicle thefts took place, compared to just 139 back in 2019.
Sergeant Eric Brunner from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office says when a vehicle is stolen, they are concerned for what can follow.

“That vehicle was spotted near the parking lot of a planet fitness and the East beltline and 28th Street area, which is a concern because as we’ve seen over time, the stolen vehicles are often used in shootings, larceny from vehicles in fitness center parking lots, and sometimes those people those suspects can be armed.”

Kias and Hyundais have been the most vulnerable to theft, with GRPD saying there have been 363 Kia and Hyundai thefts and attempted thefts this year, with 765 taking place in 2022. Kent County Sheriff’s Office says are continuing to curb these thefts and bring resolution to the many victims of these crimes.

Car theft is a crime of opportunity, and be best prevented by locking your doors, taking keys and valuables inside, and also using a steering wheel lock for drivers of Kias and Hyundais.

Dashcam video shows a stolen SUV crashing into another vehicle, and five young people running away from the scene.

Jul 20

Minnesota Deputy Released from Hospital After SUV Collision at Music Festival

Deputy’s Road to Recovery

Deputy Brady Pundsack from Morrison County, Minnesota, has been discharged from the hospital following a serious incident at a local music festival. After being struck by an SUV while managing traffic at the Pierz Freedom Fest, Deputy Pundsack was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. His release on Wednesday was marked by a heartfelt escort from fellow officers, reflecting the strong support from the community and emergency services.

Community Support and Recovery

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office has expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from both the public and colleagues. They remain hopeful for Deputy Pundsack’s full recovery as he continues his rehabilitation at home. In addition to his role in law enforcement, Deputy Pundsack is also an active member of the Flensburg City Council, where he is highly regarded for his exceptional character and dedication.

Jul 20

‘My wife’s inside’: Alburtis man recounts rescuing wife from rubble after SUV plows into their home

We’re hearing from the Lehigh County family whose house was slammed into by an out-of-control SUV. The man who lives in the house on South Main Street tells 69 News that his son and wife were inside at the time.

Victor Martinez says his wife is still in the hospital awaiting surgery, while his 8-year-old son miraculously escaped with only scratches.

69 News met with Martinez and his eight-year-old son, Victor Martinez, Jr., at the nearby hotel they’re staying at. The family’s house is now all boarded up, looking much different without the gaping hole all across its front.

“I work too hard for my family,” an emotional Martinez said. “Everything’s for my family.”

Martinez says he is relieved his wife and son will be okay, after the SUV came flying down the road, plowing right into his home on Wednesday afternoon, on South Main Street in Alburtis.

Martinez raced home from work immediately after he received that phone call.

“I see this home is destroyed,” Martinez said. “And my wife’s inside.”

Inside his home, he found his wife, beyond the SUV that crashed. She was buried under rubble and her leg was stuck.

“I remember I took a lot of pieces of wood off, I don’t remember how many,” Martinez said.

“I’m thinking about every piece of wood that fell,” his son, Martinez, Jr., said. “Whenever there’s a piece of wood, I think about my house.”

Martinez, Jr. was inside with his mom when it happened. A scratch is still visible going down the side of his face. He says he was sitting on one couch, and was hit by the other couch that his mom was on.

“It squished me,” he said. “I saw the air conditioner hanging, but I don’t remember how I got the scrapes.”

Martinez, Jr. says his mom was passed out for a short period as he yelled to wake her.

His father tells 69 News, with the help of neighbors, he pulled his wife outside. Both were sent to the hospital, along with the driver of that blue SUV.

Martinez’s wife will undergo surgery for her broken ankle. His son was released Wednesday evening.

Police tell 69 News that the driver of the car, who was also hospitalized, will be released sometime Thursday, pending medical tests. They say she passed a preliminary breath test Wednesday at the scene and she showed no sign of being under the influence.

Neighbors have a prayer vigil set up for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Alburtis house, where they’ll raise donations for the family. A friend of the family also created a GoFundMe page.

Jul 20

Thought We Had a Few More Years of the Toyota GR86? Think Again

The current Toyota GR86’s days might be numbered. Toyota may make the next-gen model on a hybrid platform.

The Toyota GR86 and its mechanical companion, the Subaru BRZ, are staples in the driver’s car landscape with a fervent attachment to a joyous manual transmission. However, the engaging Toyota sports car might give up its analog, naturally aspirated platform sooner than you think. That’s right; the 2025 Toyota GR86 might be a turbo hybrid rather than the rev-happy N/A four-cylinder coupe fans love.

Does the GR86 have a turbo?

The 2023 Toyota GR86 doesn’t use forced induction like a turbo or supercharger. Instead, the sports coupe packs a 228-horsepower 2.4L flat four-cylinder “boxer” engine. The result is a rev-happy and responsive mill with a distinctive soundtrack.

The GR86 isn’t the only one, either; it shares the H4 engine with its mechanical sibling, the Subaru BRZ. Both models produce 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque without the assistance of a turbo. Moreover, the H4-powered duo offers traditional manual transmissions, a feature that competitors like the upcoming 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost won’t have.

Will the next Toyota GR86 be a hybrid?

The 2025 Toyota GR86 might be a turbocharged hybrid, ditching the Subaru flat four-cylinder engine. According to MotorTrend, the Japanese marque might rethink the GR86, including an all-new platform.

It’s surprising news given the latest GR86’s short tenure. Specifically, the 2022 Toyota GR86 took over from the 86 Coupe after a year-long hiatus in 2022. As a result, the 2024 GR86 is just the third model year of the “GAZOO Racing” (GR) model, still sporting the much-needed aesthetic and mechanical upgrades from the 2022 model. Moreover, Toyota’s commitment to fun driver’s cars under the GR lineup should allow the current N/A platform to survive beyond 2025.

What generation of Toyota GR86 are we in now?

The Toyota GR86 is in its second generation after the new platform took over in 2022. Of course, the first-generation sports coupe didn’t carry the “GR” prefix.

Second-gen GR86 2022-Present
First-gen 86 (Post-facelift) 2019, 2020
First-gen 86 2017, 2018

Unlike the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, Toyota hasn’t allowed the 86’s looks to become too familiar. The first update arrived after just two model years, and the marque closed the books on the post-facelift, first-gen model after another two years.

Will the next Subaru BRZ be a hybrid, too?

The latest buzz surrounding the 2025 Toyota GR86 suggests that the next model will not be a collaboration with the Subaru BRZ. As a result, the BRZ may continue to be a boxer-engine sports coupe devoid of hybridization.

Jul 20

Good Samaritan’s vehicle stolen after stopping to help driver in crash

A good Samaritan’s vehicle was stolen after stopping to help the driver involved in a wreck on Madison’s south side, according to the Madison Police Department.

MPD investigators believe a passenger in the rental truck that crashed into a parked car took off in the stolen vehicle.

The good Samaritan was one of several who stopped to help after seeing a box rental truck crash into a parked car, MPD says.

The crash happened around 7:25 p.m. on Waunona Woods Ct.

Responders revived the truck driver with Narcan. He was arrested for second-offense OWI, and possession of cocaine and fentanyl.

MPD continued to say the stolen vehicle has not been found.

Jul 20

Thief Nabbed By South Hackensack Officer After Crashing Stolen SUV Outside Bergen Courthouse

Officer Damian Colon was on patrol when he spotted a 2016 Honda SUV reported stolen out of Newark heading down Green Street at 1:15 a.m. Thursday, July 20, Detective Sean Bannon said.

Colon tried to pull the driver over, the detective said. but he hit the gas instead.

A short time later, the SUV careened across the sidewalk and crashed into a handicapped parking sign at 1 Bergen Plaza, Bannon said.

The driver — Angel Quinones of Newark — got out and tried to run, but Colon quickly chased him down in front of the courthouse, the detective said.

Hackensack police and Bergen County sheriff’s officers assisted, Bannon said, thanking them on behalf of his department.

Besides the stolen car, Quinones had a wallet, credit cards and a retired law enforcement card taken from another vehicle.

He was first sent to Hackensack University Medical Center for an evaluation of possible injuries from the crash.

Then he was booked into the Bergen County Jail to await a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on charges of receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, eluding and possession of paraphernalia and a small amount of crack.

Jul 20

Madison police arrest man who crashes into parked car, good Samaritan’s vehicle stolen

A 31-year-old man was arrested after he crashed a rental box truck into a parked car while under the influence, according to the Madison Police Department.

Spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said officers were dispatched to Waunona Woods Court around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

She said strangers stopped to help after seeing the crash, and while helping the driver, a passenger in the truck is believed to have stolen the good Samaritan’s vehicle.

First responders revived the driver with Narcan.

Fryer said Roy L. Wade Jr. was arrested for second offense OWI, possession of cocaine and possession of fentanyl.

The stolen vehicle hasn’t been found.

Jul 20

Peoria driver suffers minor injuries after flipping SUV

An early morning wreck on Thursday left one driver with minor injuries.

Peoria Police Public Relations Officer Semone Roth confirms that a blue Chevy Equinox flipped on its top at approximately 7:23 a.m. near Jefferson Avenue and Kumpf Boulevard.

The driver was able to pull themselves from the car before being transported to a local hospital.

Both vehicles involved in the wreck were towed.

The cause of the crash is unknown as of 11:19 a.m.

Jul 20

At least 5 people hit by car at MedStar Georgetown Hospital in DC

Police said a woman from Maryland died and five other people were hurt Thursday after an SUV hit them in a parking garage at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Northwest.

Late Thursday night, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the woman who died as Jewel Regina Bazilio-Bellegard, 68, of Silver Spring, Md.

DC Fire and EMS first tweeted about the incident in the 3800 block of Reservoir Rd. NW. at 1:10 p.m. Initially, it appeared five people were hurt and being treated in the hospital’s emergency department. DC Fire and EMS later said the number of people injured was six.

MPD said shortly before 12:45 p.m., a woman driving an SUV tried to make a three-point turn in the parking garage. The SUV accelerated towards a wall. The driver tried to avoid hitting the wall, and drove towards a valet station where people were waiting for their cars.

Police said the SUV hit the garage wall then five women, including Bazilio-Bellegard, and a man.

An off-duty Metropolitan Police Department officer, who works as a school resource officer and was in the area, provided help to those who were injured.

Late in the afternoon Thursday, Marianne Worley, Vice President of Public Relations & Communications for MedStar Health, said hospital staff members treated the six people hit by the SUV, acknowledging there was one death among them.

Worley added that two people were treated and released, while three patients still were being evaluated. Of those remaining in the hospital, she said none appeared to have life-threatening injuries.

Although hospital staff checked out the driver of the car involved, the driver was not hurt.