An elderly couple were trapped inside a vehicle after it overturned in La Mesa on Thursday afternoon.

According to Cal Fire officials, the crash happened at approximately 2:46 p.m. on the 9900 block of Alto Drive near Mt. Helix Drive.

It appeared that the couple had been driving up a steep driveway when their pick-up truck failed, began to roll backwards and then overturned.

Officials extricated the two people trapped inside. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.

Both were transported to a hospital.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

A couple accused of attempting to carry a dead toddler inside a duffel bag across the U.S.-Mexico border will be tried in Los Angeles County, the LA Deputy District Attorney said Thursday.

The suspects -- Mercy Mary Becerra, 43, and Johnny Lewis Hartley, 39 -- of Whittier, California, face four felony counts of murder, torture, human trafficking and assault on a child in connection with the case.

Both Becerra and Hartley are set to appear in court this Friday at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, the LA District Attorney Office confirmed.

Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Lisa Coen of the Sex Crimes Division has been assigned to the case. Between Nov. 2012 and Aug. 2016, prosecutors said Becerra and Hartley allegedly trafficked a woman.

During that time, they kidnapped the woman's daughter, severely abused the child and eventually killed her on or around Aug. 9, 2016, the LA District Attorney's Office said in a press release Thursday.

On Aug. 9, prosecutors say the couple tried to cross the U.S.-Mexico border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in south San Diego. Hartley was carrying a duffle bag, which held the body of the two-year-old girl they had allegedly been abusing.

When Mexican law enforcement officials scanned Hartley's bag in an X-ray machine, they discovered the body of the little girl, San Diego police said.

Hartley and Becerra were arrested by Mexican authorities and deported back to the U.S. side of the border where they were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Ultimately, investigators determined the child had been drowned. San Diego Deputy DA Kurt Mechals said the drowning happened in Whittier.

If convicted, prosecutors say Hartley and Becerra each face a maximum sentence of life in state prison. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Whittier Police Department and San Diego Police Department, are working together in the ongoing investigation.

Officers were responding to a shooting in the Valencia Park neighborhood of San Diego on Thursday evening, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed.

Police received reports of a shooting at approximately 4:08 p.m. on Selma Place and Creston Drive. 

Police say that a 69-year-old man shot his 61-year-old brother in the leg after the two got into a fight. The cause of the fight between the two men is still unknown.

The 69-year-old-man was arrested and taken into custody without incident. The victim was taken to an area hospital where he is expected to recover from his injuries.

Police are still investigating the incident.

No other information was immediately available.

A pedestrian was injured after being hit by a car at Imperial Marketplace Thursday evening. 

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the incident occurred at approximately 6:39 p.m. on the 3600 block of Ocean View Boulevard.

Police say this may be a possible serious injury crash.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

Texas police were led on a wild police chase in Dallas County Thursday, as the fleeing driver jumped curbs, crossed medians and rammed through signs before crashing into a fence.

A Dallas police helicopter began tracking the black SUV after a report that the vehicle was stolen. Garland police joined the pursuit when the SUV crossed into their city limits.

The SUV lost control while cutting across a large median near Audelia Road and Skillman Street in Dallas. The vehicle careened through street signs and narrowly missed several other vehicles before slamming into a fence.

Officers surrounded the SUV and arrested the driver, who has not been identified.

Additional information was not immeditately available.

For most restaurants, closing during a major storm would only seem sensible. But when a Waffle House shuts its doors, even disaster specialists take notice.

In light of Hurricane Matthew, 25 Waffle House locations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have shuttered. Thursday evening, Waffle House announced on Twitter that all restaurants between Titusville and Fort Pierce, Florida, would not be up and running during the hurricane, after previously promising to continue operations. It updated the list Friday to include even more storefronts.

Waffle House has such a notorious record of staying open during natural disasters that the Federal Emergency Management Agency unofficially analyzes the chain's activity to know how severe a storm is. The closure of even one location is significant.

FEMA's "Waffle House Index" monitors House closures, focusing on the aftermath of storms and other disasters. Following Hurricane Irene in 2011, for example, only one Waffle House in Virginia was closed the day after 22 locations lost power. That signaled to FEMA where to concentrate its resources.

People seem more affected by Waffle House's announcement than any made by local officials. Fox News host Todd Starnes tweeted, "Folks, when they shut down the Waffle House -- it's time to leave town." Another Twitter user wrote, "You know it’s serious when Waffle House shuts down." After Waffle House reported more closures this morning, Scott Klein, deputy managing editor at ProPublica, said that FEMA's "Waffle House index" for Hurricane Matthew had moved to red.

A controversial casino in Jamul will be opening its doors next Monday after about 25 years in the making.

The $490 million Hollywood Casino has been at the center of a battle between the Jamul Indian Village of California and the Jamul Action Committee (JAC) for years.

Despite an opening planned for next week, the Jamul Action Committee is hoping that two pending federal lawsuits against the casino will shut it down.

According to Glenn Revell, President of JAC, the lawsuits alleges that the Jamul Indian Village of California is not a federally recognized tribe and the casino is not built entirely on reservation land. Revell also says there are traffic and safety concerns on Highway 94.

“Caltrans says it's a letter grade F and now we're going to serve alcohol and have people truck up and down the road, right in the very community that believes a commercial development this size does not fit the character of the community,” Revell told NBC 7.

But Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village of California says that they will keep fighting to keep the casino open.

“We’ll never change everybody’s mind or convince everybody that this is the right thing for the tribe but all we can do is commit like we have—committed to safety,” Pinto said, adding that they will continue to win lawsuits filed against them.

The Hollywood Casino features a high-end restaurant with authentic memorabilia such as the Superman outfit worn by Christopher Reeve and the red dress worn by Marilyn Monroe on her final photo shoot. Of course, there are also 1,700 slot machines and 40 gaming tables.

Pinto says they just want to be good neighbors but opponents continue to argue that the casino doesn’t fit into the community.

“Like I said, it’s their right to pursue frivolous lawsuits,” Pinto said. “Unfortunately, its cost us a lot of money. We keep knocking them out of the park and I feel confident that we’ll continue to win these battles that get presented to us in the form of lawsuits, frivolous lawsuits.”

A ruling on the federal lawsuits against the casino is not expected for at least six months.

Meanwhile, the casino will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday at 11:30 a.m., when it opens to the public.

The family of a woman killed when a tree fell and crushed her car in Pacific Beach in January has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego.

Nicki Carano, 48, a professional drummer, had been on her way to a performance on Sunday, January 31 when a tree fell across the road at Ingraham Street, crushing her car beneath it. 

Carano died at the scene.

Now, eight months later, her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, claiming there was a known defect in the tree that was hazardous. The lawsuit does not go into detail about the alleged defect.

The lawsuit goes on to claim that the city did not take the proper steps to insure the safety of people, including not cutting down branches that may impose a hazard.

The storm that swept through San Diego County at the time caused major flooding and downed hundreds of tree. City emergency dispatch had received close to 350 calls of downed or damaged trees on its 24-hour hotline.

NBC 7 has reached out to the city but have not heard back yet. 

San Diegans are offering support to a former San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) deputy injured and left paralyzed in a motorcycle crash.

Deputy Rudy Sanchez Sr. was in an accident last month that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was on his way to work when his motorcycle was hit by a pickup truck on northbound Interstate 805 south of the 47th street exit. The accident is still under investigation.

He was badly injured in the collision. Today, he is bedridden and even after four surgeries, recovery is slow.

“Hopefully he will be able to get mobility in his hands, be able to use his hands but it's hope," his son, Rudy Sanchez Jr., said.

Sanchez Jr. is following in his father’s career path. Sanchez Sr. is a 20-year veteran of the SDSO. Sanchez Jr. told NBC 7 that looks up to his father and that they are best friends.

“We play softball together, play tournaments together, we do a lot of things together and not having him with me is going to be difficult,” he said.

His son says all of his father's plans for an active retirement ended there.

“He definitely wanted to move into this [RV] and wanted to travel. This was going to be his life right here,” Sanchez Jr. said.

To help their fellow deputy, members of the SDSO are raising money for Sanchez Sr. through a GoFundMe page. The funds raised there will help pay to remodel the deputy's home, adding a bathroom and wheelchair ramp that will be more accessible given his paralysis.

The deputy's family is deeply touched by the donations, the love and the support from both Sanchez Sr.'s colleagues as well as from complete strangers.

“It's incredible. It's incredible how people pull together to help somebody. In some cases, they don't even know,” Sanchez Jr. said.

He told NBC 7 that his father is committing the same determination he had while serving the community to recovering from his injuries.

“You challenge him and he'll try to beat that challenge. Right now, his challenge is to get his legs moving,” he said, speaking of his father.

To donate to the fund for Sanchez Sr., click here.

Otay Mesa residents were alarmed Friday morning when they spotted flames shooting from the roof of an unoccupied home.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) said a fire sparked at a house in the 3500 block of Lindbergh Street and Doolittle Avenue just after 5:30 a.m.

Crews were able to knock it out quickly, and no injuries were reported.

One neighbor captured the raging flames on cellphone video, saying he woke up to see the fire tearing through the house.

Neighbors said squatters are known to frequent the property. Firefighters found copper stripped from the home, indicating the possibility of squatters, too.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

When you buy a car, there are usually state taxes that come with the purchase. But, in California, if you buy a car from a parent or child, the state cannot charge you for those taxes. Instead, you fill out a form and pay $15. 

For Coronado Dentist Dan Hutchinson though, the process had not been so easy. 

“I’ve done it before a couple of times, it went fine,” Dan said. 

When Dan bought his son’s used Lexus back in 2014, he faced a hurdle. 

“I paid him for the car, we signed it over to me and about six months later is when I got a bill that said you owe $1,000 for this,” Dan said. 

The State Board of Equalization wanted Dan to pay taxes on the car. Dan said he sent them a copy of his son’s birth certificate twice and thought that would be the end of it. 

“But when I called them and said he’s my son, I was told no,” Dan said, “It’s already been decided and you need to pay this now and then you can file for a refund which I didn’t want to do.” 

Dan said he was shocked by the response. Despite his phone calls, emails and letters, no one at the Board of Equalization would listen to him. 

After Dan turned to NBC 7 Responds, we spoke with the Board of Equalization and they promised to look into Dan’s situation. 

NBC 7 Responds sent the State Board of Equalization a copy of Dan’s son’s birth certificate and the agency said it was the first time they had seen it. Within four days, Dan’s tax bill was dropped.

American taxpayers are EpiPen's biggest customers, according to newly released data on rebates paid by drugmaker Mylan to the U.S. government.

"The majority of Mylan's EpiPen revenue growth came from Medicare and Medicaid," Senator Chuck Grassley told NBC News in a statement after the Iowa Republican's office published the analysis.

From 2011 to 2015, the share of revenue Mylan's EpiPen received from the two tax-payer funded healthcare programs rose from 23 percent to 53 percent. 

At the same time, the price the government paid for the emergency allergic reaction treatment rose by 463 percent. In 2015, Mylan reported $912 million in revenue from EpiPen sales. Of that, the government programs accounted for $486 million. Over the five-year period, government health plans spent over $1 billion on EpiPens.

Total spending also increased nearly six times between 2011 and 2015 for Medicaid — from $66 million to $365 million — and Medicare Part D from $20 million to $121 million.

Discount supermarket chain Grocery Outlet has leased 20,150 square feet at the Metro Center retail property in San Diego’s College Area, CoStar Group reported.

Financial and other terms of the lease were not immediately available. The 84,567-square-foot center, at 5379-5399 54th St. near San Diego State University, was constructed in 1956.

The property’s landlord, Daesung Investments, was represented by Scott Duhs and Craig Duhs of brokerage firm Duhs Commercial. Grocery Outlet was represented by David Hagglund of CBRE Group Inc.

Emeryville-based Grocery Outlet has 10 current stores in San Diego County, according to its website.

Police at San Diego State University (SDSU) have issued an alert after two similar thefts happened on campus within days of one another involving cellphones being snatched from students.

The campus police alert said a student was walking in the 5700 block of Aztec Walk at 9 p.m. Thursday, toward the Calpulli Center, when two men came up and asked to borrow her phone.

SDSU Police Department investigators said the first suspect took the phone out of the woman’s hands. Then, the second suspect took the phone from the first suspect. The duo fled on foot toward Hardy Avenue with the stolen phone.

The student was not harmed, police said.

Investigators said this is the second such case to happen on campus in the span of five days. On Sunday, a similar incident – same details, circumstances and suspect descriptions – occurred on campus. The similarities in the crimes prompted police to issue a Community Safety Alert for students on campus and to investigate any potential link in the cases.

SDSU police said both suspects are described as being around 20 years old, both with buzzed, short black hair. The first man was described as 6-feet-tall; he wore a black or gray shirt, red basketball shorts and light-colored tennis shoes. The second suspect was described by police as wearing a gray, zipped hoodie, blue jeans and dark-colored tennis shoes.

Anyone with information on this case can call the SDSU Police Department at (619) 594-1991 or reach out to police via email at police@mail.sdsu.edu. Callers should reference #16-1343.

Welcome to your weekend, San Diego. With concerts, new musicals, festivals and plenty of fun for the foodie and beer fan on the horizon, get out there and enjoy fall in America's Finest City. 

Thursday, Oct. 6

Disney on Ice: Passport to Adventure
Multiple dates and times, Valley View Casino Center
Disney’s most memorable characters come alive on ice this weekend in Passport to Adventure. Mickey Mouse, Minni Mouse, Goofy, Donald and Daisy go on an adventure through some of the worlds featured in your favorite movies: The Lion King, Frozen, The Little Mermaid and more. Tickets start at $17.50.

Mumford and Sons
7:30 p.m., Sleep Train Ampitheatre in Chula Vista
Drive down to Chula Vista to hear the rock and indie stylings of Mumford and Sons, the popular band best known for their songs “I Will Wait,” “Little Lion Man” and “Hopeless Wanderer.” Tickets start at $40.

October Sky
8 p.m., The Old Globe Theater
The beloved film “October Sky” has found new life as a new musical at The Old Globe. The musical, like the movie, follows high schooler and small town Virginia resident Homer Hickam as he follows his dream to build him own rockets. Tickets start at $39.

The Bitter Game
7:30 p.m., La Jolla Playhouse
Verse and prose come together in a stirring blend in The Bitter Game, which looks at a young man and his mother both trying to protect the other. The one-man show, opening at the Playhouse in association with the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, takes a hard look at what it means to survive while Black in America. Tickets start at $15, and the show runs until Oct. 9, this Sunday. 

Friday, Oct. 7

Oceanside Art Walk
5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Downtown Oceanside
Held on the first Friday of each month, the Oceanside Art Walk returns to showcase the community’s thriving art district. This free, all ages event includes live performances, music, poetry, art education, culinary arts and pop-up galleries throughout local business and public spaces in downtown Oceanside. Food and activities also top off the family-friendly fun. The event is free.

Whiskey and Wine BBQ
6 p.m., Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa
It’s a unique blend: the taste of the Deep South comes together in harmony with Northern California wines at this BBQ. The banquet – situated under the San Diego stars – features brisket, pulled pork mac and cheese, cobblers and more, paired with whiskey, bourbon and Napa Valley wine. Tickets start at $105 per person. Attendees must be over 21 years of age and present a valid ID.

Encinitas’ 30th Anniversary Weekend
Times vary (Friday through Sunday), Various locations in Encinitas
Encinitas will party like it’s 1986 this weekend as the City commemorates 30 years since the five communities of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Downtown Encinitas (Coastal), Leucadia, Olivenhain and “New Encinitas” incorporated to become the City of Encinitas. The anniversary weekend kicks off Friday at the Encinitas Community Center (1140 Oakcrest Park Dr.) with an “Everybody Cut Footloose” 1980s-themed dance party from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, Leo Mullen Sports Park will host “Movie in the Park” night at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Moonlight Beach will be the stage of a Beta Maxx 1980s concert starting at 2 p.m. All events are free to attend.

Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Times vary (Friday through Sunday), 1017 S. Mollison Ave.
El Cajon’s Oktoberfest 2016 celebration returns for its second weekend, running from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Hosted by the German American Societies of San Diego, Inc., this traditional Oktoberfest takes place at 1017 S. Mollison Ave. and will feature authentic German food – think pretzels and ox-on-the-spit – a beer garden, games and family-friendly activities. Also on the agenda: live “Oom-Pah” music from the Bavarian band, Guggenbach-Buam, straight from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, performing classics like polkas, waltzes and other famous beer-drinking tunes. Raffles, games, crafts and a kids zone round out the fun. Admission is $10 for attendees 21 and up on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8; $5 on Oct. 9. Active-duty military members and anyone under 21 gets in free.

OB Oktoberfest
4:20 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Ocean Beach
Another popular local Oktoberfest 2016 celebration, Ocean Beach’s Oktoberfest party boasts a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, plus live music, beer and quirky contests such as Bratwurst Eating, Stein Holding, The Sausage Toss, Ms. Oktoberfest and the Brat Trot Beach Run. As usual, dozens of local vendors will line the grassy area at the foot of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street, too, selling their goodies to revelers. Organizers say the beer garden will be located in the adjacent Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, which will include a main stage for bands. The OB Oktoberfest runs from 4:20 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Oct. 7 and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Oct. 8.

Saturday, Oct. 8

La Jolla Art and Wine Festival
10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, La Jolla Village
The Art and Wine Festival returns again to La Jolla this year for a weekend filled with beautiful art, fine wine and live entertainment. Walk through nearly a mile of art and take in the expansive collection of artists from around the world. For those looking for some food, there will also be a gourmet marketplace to buy food, a free family art center, silent auction and more. The festival is free and family-friendly.

Pride by the Beach
11 a.m., Oceanside Civic Center
Celebrate your pride this weekend in North County, where the North County LGBTQ Resource Center is hosting this event, now in its ninth year. Jackie Beat, a comedic drag queen, will headline the event. There will also be entertainment and a key note speaker from the LA Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. The event is free and for all ages.

Sleepless in San Diego
5 p.m., Liberty Station
Hundreds will sleep at Liberty Station Saturday evening into Sunday morning in an effort to raise awareness about homelessness in San Diego. Sleepless in San Diego is an annual event organized by the San Diego Rescue Mission which says that some 10,000 people in San Diego are without homes. They say it’s the third largest homeless population in the country. Participants can come for evening activities only, or stay overnight and sleep on a cot, cardboard, or plastic sheet. To register, click here.

The Lion
8 p.m., The Old Globe Theater
A gripping coming-of-age story is told with six guitars in The Lion, a new, original musical playing at The Old Globe. Award-winning songwriter Benjamin Scheuer combines wit and emotional depth as he takes audience members on a trip from boyhood to manhood. Tickets start at $29. The new musical runs until Oct. 30

Sunday, Oct. 9

Little Italy’s FESTA!
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., streets of Little Italy
Come celebrate San Diego’s lovely little iconic neighborhood this Sunday at a massive cultural festival, complete with live Italian entertainment, authentic food, a stickball tournament, a bocce ball tournament and Gesso Italiano, or Italian chalk. Stroll down Little Italy’s historic streets during the festival’s 21st annual festivities.

Fifth Avenue Auto Showcase
11 a.m., Gaslamp Quarter
More than 150 makes and models of iconic and unique cars and motorcycles will line the iconic Fifth Avenue this Sunday. Car buffs won’t want to miss the showcase, which runs from E Street to K Street.

Florida Goergia Line
6 p.m., Sleep Train Ampitheatre
This country duo cruises right into San Diego this Sunday, a perfect Sunday evening concert for country fans. Don’t miss summer anthems “Cruise” and “Spiin’ on Fire” performed live. Tickets start at $39.

SDSU’s Concert on the Plaza
4 p.m., 5500 Campanile Drive at San Diego State University
Bring a blanket, picnic basket and your loved ones, and come get cozy at the Performing Arts Plaza. The SDSU Wind Sympohny will perform band classics for the crowd as the sun slowly falls. The event is free and family-friendly.

Opera on the Tracks
1 p.m., Old Town Trolley Station
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Opera wrap up their “Opera at the Track” program Sunday – a series of free, 30-minute opera performances at trolley stations across San Diego. This final performance goes down at 1 p.m. at the Old Town Trolley Station (4005 Taylor St. - Green Line). On Saturday, another Opera on the Tracks performance is set for 1:30 p.m. at Children’s Museum Park at the Convention Center Station (200 W. Island – Green Line).

CRAFToberfest at Liberty Public Market
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Liberty Station
Liberty Public Market hosts the final day of its Oktoberfest celebration, shining the spotlight on German brews available at Bottlecraft, as well as Bavarian bites from a number of vendors. Crafted Baked Good, for instance, will sell fresh, large pretzels, while Mastiff Sausage Company offers German-style sausage specials. Other Liberty Public Market artisans will get in on the fun by offering their own Oktoberfest-style specials and goodies, including customized beer mugs. As shoppers stroll the market, fun activities will round-out the fun, including patio games like giant Jenga and ring toss.

The Producers
8 p.m., Spreckels Theatre
This Mel Brooks musical – based on the 1968 film about a scheming producer and his mousy accountant, who try to produce the biggest flop on Broadway – starts its run at the Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego Friday night. Tickets start at $40; the musical runs here through Oct. 9.

Lakeside residents were jolted late Thursday night when a driver plowed into their home – the second time something like this has happened there.

The crash happened around 11 p.m. at a house on Castle Court Drive and Los Coches Road. A family was inside the home but fortunately, no one was hurt. The driver of the car was taken to a local hospital, officials said.

Investigators said the driver somehow drove over a stop sign before slamming into the wall of the house. In the process, the driver also struck a brand-new car parked in the home’s driveway.

The crash caused heavy damage to the property; a bedroom wall was destroyed and the impact moved furniture inside.

A woman who lives in the home told NBC 7 her mother and grandmother were inside the home during the crash, but were in other rooms not impacted by the collision. She said that just a few months ago, another driver crashed into the house in a similar manner.