Tag: News

Jan 18

Tragic Electrocution Incident: Toddler Survives as Power Line Claims Three Lives in Portland

Deadly Accident in Northeast Portland

In a heartbreaking incident in northeast Portland, a live power line, brought down by a falling tree branch, landed on an SUV, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a teenager. This tragic event unfolded on Wednesday in the Russel Neighborhood, drawing an urgent response from Portland Fire & Rescue.

Catastrophic Sequence of Events

As the power line made contact with their vehicle, the occupants, overwhelmed by fear, exited the SUV. Tragically, they were electrocuted upon touching the ground, which acted as a conduit for the electric current from the live wire. Nearby, a quick-thinking passerby managed to rescue a 2-year-old child from one of the fatally injured adults, saving the toddler from the electrified area.

Additional Insightful Information:

Safety Warnings and Community Impact

This devastating occurrence has led local authorities to emphasize the dangers of downed power lines. Dameon Pesanti from Clark Public Utilities advised that it’s crucial to treat all downed wires as live and potentially deadly. He recommended staying inside the vehicle if a wire falls on it and immediately contacting emergency services. This advice is particularly pertinent as the Portland metro area has recently seen a spate of fatalities attributed to adverse winter conditions, with at least ten deaths reported since Friday.

Response and Support

Following the tragedy, local schools, particularly Milwaukie High School, where one of the victims, sophomore Ta’Ron Briggs, studied, have mobilized support services for students and staff affected by the incident. The community is reminded of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of winter weather and the importance of emergency preparedness.

Jan 18

Tragic Incident in MP: Police Officer Fatally Struck by SUV in Fuel Theft Escape

Deadly Confrontation at Fuel Station

In a tragic turn of events in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, a police officer lost his life after being hit by an SUV. The driver, identified as Lokjeet Singh, was attempting to flee a fuel station without paying. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Naresh Sharma, stationed at Mahuljhir police station, encountered the SUV during a routine checkpoint operation but was fatally struck as the driver accelerated away.

High-Speed Chase and Capture

Following the incident, a high-speed pursuit ensued over 60 kilometers, culminating in the suspect’s vehicle overturning. Prior to this, Singh had a series of dangerous encounters, including injuring two motorcycle policemen, endangering pedestrians, and causing damage to a toll booth and a cow. The chase ended with Singh’s capture, though not before the grievous harm resulting in ASI Sharma’s death.

Additional Insightful Information:

Response and Legal Proceedings

The sequence of events began when ASI Sharma received a Dial 100 alert about the SUV’s escape from the fuel station. Despite efforts to apprehend Singh peacefully, the confrontation escalated quickly, leading to Sharma’s severe injuries and subsequent death at a district hospital. The initial charges of attempted murder against Singh were upgraded to murder under IPC Section 302, reflecting the grave outcome of his actions.

Community and Law Enforcement Reaction

This incident has sparked widespread reactions within the community and among law enforcement. It highlights the risks police officers face daily and the need for stricter measures against such violent acts. The local police department is now reviewing protocols on handling similar high-risk situations to prevent future tragedies.

The death of ASI Sharma not only marks a significant loss to the community but also underscores the dangers law enforcement officers routinely encounter. It raises critical questions about public safety and the measures necessary to protect those who serve.

Jan 18

China’s EVs Consumed As Much Energy As Ireland In 2023

It’s not as big a problem as you might think.

Will a deluge of energy-sucking electric cars spell disaster for the U.S. power grid? Looking to China—which is lightyears ahead of the States on just about every front of the EV transition—the answer to that question appears to be a resounding “nope.”

What’s clear is that China’s rapidly ballooning EV fleet requires an increasingly enormous amount of electricity to keep it moving. According to a recent analysis by BloombergNEF (BNEF), the news wire’s energy research arm, China’s electric cars consumed as much electricity from public charging stations in 2023 as the entire country of Ireland. (Note that BNEF lumped fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids together for its study.)

For all the energy nerds out there, that’s 35 terawatt-hours. This year, BNEF projects that figure will rise to 52 terawatt-hours, exceeding the energy demand of Greece. Those are indeed astonishing figures when put into context (even if Ireland isn’t that big a country). Still, EVs haven’t broken China’s electrical infrastructure. Far from it.

“There are industry-wide discussions about the impact of EVs on electricity systems,” BNEF researchers said in their report. “Data in China, however, shows that the electricity distributed from public chargers is already at significant levels but has not led to widespread breakdowns of the electricity system.”

EV critics have sounded the alarm about the dangers electric cars pose to the U.S. power grid. During a heatwave in 2022, when California’s utility urged EV owners to avoid charging their cars during certain hours, detractors like Fox News’ Tucker Carlson latched on, pushing a narrative that our electrical infrastructure simply can’t handle more EVs. What we’re seeing in China proves that isn’t the case.

China is way ahead of the U.S. in EV adoption and provides a glimpse into what our future may hold. There are already some 20 million all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles swarming the country’s roads, according to BNEF. Last year, China put 890,000 public charging connectors in the ground, the group estimates. That’s over five times the amount of plugs the U.S. has installed, period.

More electric cars needing to charge will no doubt require improvements to America’s power generation and distribution infrastructure, experts say. But there are a few reasons that we shouldn’t expect everything to go haywire from too many Teslas topping up.

EVs don’t actually consume all that much energy, and they still won’t even when there are millions more of them. In California, which has more EV penetration than any other state, EVs account for less than 1% of energy demand during peak times, according to the California Energy Commission. By 2030, an estimated 5.7 million electric cars and trucks should only account for 4% of peak loads, the agency says.

Crucially, electric cars are quite flexible as far as when they need to be plugged in. During a heatwave, everyone runs their A/C simultaneously, putting extra stress on electrical infrastructure. That can lead to blackouts and other nasty consequences.

EVs, on the other hand, can charge essentially any time they’re parked and only need to do so for a few hours each week. Utilities and charging providers can manage grid stress by making EV owners pay more or less depending on when they plug in. That kind of smarter charging is something BNEF thinks we’ll see more of going forward.

Jan 18

Horses help pull SUV out of snowy ditch

A pair of horses helped pull an SUV out of a snowy ditch in Tennessee and it was all caught on camera.

It happened earlier this week, when a driver in a white SUV found himself in a tough spot.

Several men tried to get his vehicle out of the ditch when an Amish man swooped in with two horses.

The group pushed the front of the SUV and the steeds used their “horsepower” to pull it back onto the road.

Jan 18

Good Samaritans recall saving driver moments before train crashed into car in Fairport

A 27-year-old driver’s life was saved Wednesday night, less than two minutes before a train slammed into his car.

Police said the driver’s GPS directed him to turn right onto Railroad Street from Main Street in Fairport. Instead, he mistakenly turned onto the railroad tracks and became stuck.

Two good Samaritans who raced to get the driver out of his car said they had roughly 40 seconds to save a life.

BACKGROUND: Car struck by train in Fairport; citizen aids driver’s escape

“As soon as we started talking, the railroad crossing started going down,” recalled Larry Johncox, one of the two bystanders who sprung into action. “We just had to get out of the way.”

While driving down Main Street in Fairport with his family, Johncox said he saw the whole incident unfold.

“I knew a train was going to be coming, but still, I just wanted to try helping him,” Johncox said. “I couldn’t lift it. It bothered me so much that I couldn’t help, but I tried flagging down another gentleman.”

That gentleman was volunteer firefighter Bill Evans.

“We know that we have about 3/4 of a mile between when the train activates that signal and when it’s going to be at our Main Street crossing, so know we’ve got no time,” Evans said.

“I was yelling, I was trying (to tell him) to get out, I was trying to lift the car, I was trying to do everything,” Johncox added.

Evans said the driver was in a state of shock, but he and Johncox eventually managed to convince him to leave his car.

“We’ve had that situation where people have panicked and not gotten out of their car, and it’s been tragic results,” Evans said.

All three men got off the tracks just moments before the train struck the car.

“It just took it down the track,” Johncox recalled. “It was so crazy.”

Evans estimates he’s responded to more than three dozen incidents on the train tracks over his 43 years of service.

“I was there for a reason,” Evans said. “I don’t know why our paths crossed for the right reason, and I’m blessed that I was there.”

Connor Johncox, Larry’s son, was taking cover in his family’s car during the incident. He briefly feared his father was still on the tracks at the moment of the impact.

“He is sort of a hero,” Connor said.

Police said neither drugs nor alcohol contributed to the crash.

Jan 18

The Rise of Manual Transmissions: A Stick Shift Revival in Today’s Car Market

The resurgence of manual transmissions is more than just a trend—it’s a revival of driving passion. In 2023, manual transmissions made up 1.7% of all car sales, a significant jump from less than 1% in 2021. This 70% increase reflects a growing appreciation for the driving experience that only a stick shift can provide, despite its relatively small market share.

The six-speed stick shift lever in a manual 2007 BMW M6 V10.
2007 BMW M6 | Cars & Bids

The renewed interest in manuals is fueled by a combination of enthusiast demand and exciting new offerings from automakers. Notable models like the Toyota Supra and Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing have embraced manual gearboxes, rekindling excitement among driving purists. The Mazda Miata, a longstanding symbol of driving enjoyment, continues to be a top choice for manual enthusiasts, with 60% of buyers opting for the traditional gearshift, highlighting the car’s enduring appeal even as it approaches its 35th anniversary.

Jan 18

Amish Man Uses Horses to Rescue SUV Stuck in Snow

In a small Tennessee town, an Amish man stepped in to assist a driver trapped in snowy conditions. Finding the white SUV lodged in a ditch, he hitched his horses to the vehicle and skillfully pulled it free. Despite attempts by the driver and others to rock the SUV out, the horses were crucial in completing the rescue.

The rescue was captured by local resident Sandra Sam Newton, who added her enthusiastic commentary to the footage. Her video showcases not only the horses’ strength but also her joyful exclamation when the SUV was successfully pulled back onto the road. The scene highlights how traditional methods can still shine in modern times.

Horses, though often seen as outdated, can offer remarkable utility in challenging situations. Their ability to handle tough terrain and provide physical power in emergencies remains impressive. This incident reminds us that even in a world dominated by advanced technology, there are still valuable lessons to be learned from simpler, time-honored methods.

Jan 18

Honda Introduces Wireless Apple CarPlay Upgrade for 2018-2022 Accords

Exciting Wireless Apple CarPlay Update for Recent Honda Owners

Honda has recently announced an exciting upgrade for owners of 2018-2022 Honda Accords, making wireless Apple CarPlay available. This enhancement means drivers can now enjoy the convenience of CarPlay without the need for a physical connection, simply by using their phone’s wireless capability. This move is sure to delight many Honda Accord owners and sets a positive example for other automakers to consider similar upgrades.

Closeup of a Honda Accord infotainment screen showing wireless Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay | AdrianHancu via iStockPhotos

Apple CarPlay, initially introduced in 2014, revolutionized in-car infotainment by allowing seamless integration with iPhones through large icons, voice commands, and text reading features. Originally available on limited models, CarPlay quickly gained popularity among various manufacturers, including Ferrari, Kia, Hyundai, GM, Mercedes-Benz, and VW. Honda initially included CarPlay in higher trim levels but is now extending this feature to older models via a dealership-installed upgrade.

Starting in early 2024, Honda will provide a dedicated portal for Accord owners to request the wireless CarPlay upgrade. A brief visit to the dealership will be required to complete the installation, offering an easy way to enhance the driving experience. This development could pave the way for other Honda models and brands to adopt similar upgrades, improving overall vehicle connectivity and user satisfaction.

Jan 18

Rising Car Theft Threatens Older SUVs and Trucks, Often in Broad Daylight

Increasing Risk for Older Vehicles Amid Car Theft Surge

Recent reports highlight a troubling trend: car thefts are soaring, particularly targeting older SUVs and trucks, even during the day. In Cambridge, high-end models have been the primary victims, but now, older vehicles are also at risk. Residents are urged to be vigilant as thieves are increasingly targeting these older models in broad daylight.

Tim Cross’s shocking experience exemplifies the current issue. Last Friday, he witnessed his 1999 GMC Yukon being stolen from his driveway in broad daylight. Despite his car’s doors being locked, the thieves managed to drive away, prompting a police chase that had to be abandoned for safety reasons.

Statistics from Waterloo Regional Police reveal a disturbing rise in thefts of late 1990s to early 2000s GMC and Chevrolet models, with several incidents involving similar tactics. Recent attempts to steal such vehicles have been reported frequently in Kitchener and Waterloo, often involving damage to the ignition system while the vehicle owners retained their keys. The preference for daytime thefts in residential driveways and commercial areas highlights the need for heightened security measures.

To protect your vehicle, consider implementing additional security measures such as steering wheel locks, theft alarms, and GPS trackers. Also, remember to remove valuables from your car and remain cautious, especially when parking in less secure areas. Tim Cross plans to install an engine kill switch to enhance his vehicle’s security, which may be a prudent step for other vehicle owners as well.

Jan 18

Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Waukegan SUV Collision

Tragic Accident Leaves Pedestrian with Severe Injuries

On Monday evening, a pedestrian suffered significant injuries after being struck by an SUV while walking along Sheridan Road in Waukegan. Emergency services, including the Waukegan Fire and Police Departments, arrived at the scene around 7:20 p.m. and discovered the pedestrian lying in the roadway north of the Sheridan Road and Miraflores Avenue intersection.

Witnesses reported that a black Chevrolet Tahoe was involved in the accident, with the 37-year-old female driver remaining at the scene and cooperating fully with authorities. She stated that the pedestrian had suddenly appeared in front of her vehicle, and initial reports from witnesses supported her account. Despite no signs of impairment, the driver had recently left the gym before the incident.

The pedestrian, whose identity remains unknown, was found unconscious and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The full extent of their injuries is still unknown, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for vigilance both from drivers and pedestrians.