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The Ides of March Brings Talks of Caesar, Shakespeare

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Hot on the heels of Pi Day, the Ides of March is another day ripe for geeks who love history and Shakespeare.

For those who don't know, the Ides of March started as an innocuous term that refers to March 15 on the Roman calendar. The "ides" is simply the midpoint of the month.

The date was made infamous by the assassination of Julius Caesar who was stabbed to death by Brutus and Cassius at a senate meeting in 44 B.C. William Shakespeare coined the phrase "beware the Ides of March." It was uttered by a soothsayer in the play "Julius Caesar" to foreshadow the Roman leader's impending death at the hands of his colleagues.

Here is a fun crash course about Julius Caesar that answers the question "When, if ever, is it ok to stab someone 23 times?"

Since then, people around the world have found creative ways to observe the ominous day.

Time Magazine rounded up the 15 most notable assassinations in history with their Ides of March slideshow, while The Smithsonian provided 10 reasons to fear the Ides of March. Case in point: NASA reported of a growing hole in the ozone hovering over the North Pole in 1988, "The Ed Sullivan Show" was canceled in 1971 and the World Health Organization reported a growing number of SARS cases in 2003.

For some, the occasion served as a teaching moment. Students at Massachusetts' Taunton High School reenacted parts of the Shakespeare play for their fellow classmates in a tradition that started over 50 years ago, according to the Taunton Daily Gazette.

Caesar's dying breath has become a teaching tool in high school and college chemistry classes everywhere, according to NPR, who said that people today are still breathing in molecules from his last breath.

But the Ides of March is not all doom and gloom.

"Ides of March" was trending on Twitter early Friday with funny quips from celebrities like sex expert Dr. Ruth.

"The Ides of March were unlucky for Julius Caesar but here's hoping you get 'lucky' on this Ides," she tweeted.

Danbury, Conn. mayor Mark Boughton chimed in with "The Ides of March are upon u. Stay thirsty my friends."

And lastly, Caesar salad and bloody Caesar recipes from the web can help toga party revelers get in the spirit on this otherwise foreboding occasion.


“Angel” Spotted in South Florida Sky, Residents Say

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Several South Florida residents witnessed what they described as an angel in the clouds, WPTV reported.

Various pictures were taken of what looks like a clear sky, with a noticeable pink cloud that resembles an angel.

It happened the day Pope Francis was announced and some Catholics saw it as a possible sign from God.

Pope Francis Shows Humility on His First Day

“The pope asked to pray for Him,” Cat Sunn told WPTV. “God answered.”

But others found numerous explanations as to what the cloud could be.

Cristina Pina told WPTV that the clouds looked more like a monkey than an angel, Nick Stanley said he saw the dark lord, or Lucifer. Steve Massie said that seeing shapes and faces in non-human objects was simply something he called "pareidolia."

Radio Paz General Manager Excited That Pope Francis Can Speak to Station's Audience Without Translation

Thousands have viewed the photo on social media, giving the cloud many different interpretations.



Photo Credit: WPTV

Roach Infestation Forces Bus to Pull Over, Evacuate

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A Greyhound bus bound for New York City had to pull over and evacuate Friday because it was infested with roaches that dropped from the ceiling and skittered across seats and the floor, terrorizing riders.

Mothers tried to shield their children and riders jumped into the aisle of the bus as roaches bolted out of cracks and crevices, seemingly all at once, about 15 minutes after the 10 a.m. bus left Atlantic City, passengers told NBC 4 New York.

"All of a sudden the roaches came out of nowhere, they were on the floor, they were falling from the ceiling," said Andy Rodriguez, a passenger.

Tracy Harmon told NBC 4 New York that "people were shrieking and shaking roaches off."

"It was terrible," she said.

The bus was carrying 48 people and an unknown number of roaches, according to Greyhound.

"Once the driver became aware of the situation, the driver followed procedures by pulling the bus over to a safe location and notifying our dispatch office," Greyhound spokesman Timothy Stokes said.

A second bus was sent to pick up the passengers, and they later arrived at Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Greyhound said the company apologizes and has refunded the trip for all the passengers.



Photo Credit: NBC 4 New York

Man Sought in 1997 Murder of Pregnant Girlfriend

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Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend outside a local bar exactly 16 years ago to the day.

According to San Diego County Crime Stoppers and the SDPD Homicide Unit, investigators are still actively seeking leads to help locate murder suspect Luis “Freddy” Eduardo Galindo who is believed to have possibly fled to Honduras.

On March 15, 1997, investigators say Galindo, his girlfriend Carmen Estrada and a group of friends visited the Vallarta Bar and Grill located at 4125 El Cajon Blvd. in City Heights.

At one point, Galindo and Estrada walked outside the bar and got into a verbal altercation. Galindo took out a gun and allegedly shot Estrada in the head, killing her and their unborn baby.

Galindo fled the area and has since been sought by police for his alleged involvement in the murder. For the past 16 years, Galindo has remained at large.

On Friday, detectives revisited this 16-year-old murder case, asking anyone with any information on Galindo’s whereabouts to call the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Up to a $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of this suspect.

Police describe Galindo as a 40-year-old Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He’s 5-foot-7, 155 pounds and known to use the nickname “Freddy.”
 

Man to Visit 788 Facebook Friends in Person

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Of the hundreds of friends most of us have on Facebook, we will probably never have a conversation with most of them, never mind meet them face-to-face — unless you are Ty Morin, of Burlington, Conn.

The 23-year-old Hartford Art School grad plans to travel to visit every single one of his original 788 Facebook friends in person and photograph them — not with an iPhone or a digital camera, but with an old-fashioned 8x10 camera.  

His project is called "Friend Request: Accepted."

Morin estimates that it will take about an hour to photograph each person.

The other part is a documentary that captures the passion that Morin's friends have for the things they love to do, whether it is sculpting, dance or body-building.  

"I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a story," Morin said, even if it’s not right there on the surface. 

So far, the response has been positive.

"Everyone’s onboard for helping out," Morin said.

He admits there have been a couple awkward instances along the way. It's something that has to be expected when you show up on the doorstep of someone you have not seen since middle school and ask them to show off their talents on film and video.

Initially, Morin was hoping that the people in his original friend list would help him get this project growing and they delivered by spreading the word online.

In February, Morin posted the idea on Kickstarter, a site where you come up with an idea and ask people to donate money to fund it.

He was looking for $5,000 to pay for the film. He has received more than $7,000, and there are 11 days left of the fundraising campaign as of Friday.

Morin will set off on a road trip at the end of April and hopes to photograph about 150 friends by the end of the year. 

"It's quite a big task to take on by myself," he said, so he is looking to his artistic friends to travel with him and help out on the documentary part of the project.

"(I'm) looking to use a lot of friends in any way I can to help me with this," he said.

Morin knows this project will take years but says it will be worth it if he reaches his goal of exhibiting the photo series in a New York gallery that can handle 788 pictures. 

"It would be a really cool experience," he said. "Kind of bring everyone back together."

He'd love the documentary to make it into film festivals, like SXSW or Sundance.

His other goal is to help people who have not found their passion to realize what they love to do.

"My passion is photos, and this project is allowing me to do that. I want other people to do what they are passionate about," Morin said.

You can learn more about the project on the Kickstarter Web site or on Ty’s blog.


 
 

3 Dead in Small Plane Crash

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Three people died when a twin-engine plane crashed in a parking lot in Fort Lauderdale Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The three people who perished had been aboard the small aircraft, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Matt Little said.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the Piper PA31 aircraft left from Runway 08 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at about 4:20 p.m. The crash occurred just moments later. Little said firefighters responded at 4:21 p.m.

After the local flight took off, the plane banked to the right before it crashed into parked vehicles near a warehouse at 964 NE 53rd Court, Little said.

"Our guys tell us there are some fatalities here, and it’s just a tragedy," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler said.

VIDEO: Firefighters at Scene of Plane Crash

The three men who died were flying on an avionics check, meaning that they were checking the airplane's instrumentation and communications systems, airport sources told NBC 6.

The plane took off from a runway facing east. Shortly after takeoff there was a double engine failure, and the pilot attempted to return to the field and land on Runway 31, which faces the north and west, the sources said. The plane then made a steep right turn, stalled, spun and crashed into the parking lot, they said.

The National Transportation Safety Board will make the final determination about what happened.

Whitney Ribak, who was standing in the parking lot of BJ's Wholesale Club nearby, said she heard the surreal sound before impact. She likened it to something "in the movies, when you hear a plane coming down out of the sky with just this high-pitched engine."

"And I live in the neighborhood, so I knew something was wrong. I looked up just as the plane banked and crashed behind the Starlight Lounge on Powerline Road," Ribak said. "It exploded, big black smoke billowing up. I kept hearing other explosions. I was shaking. I was trying to call 911."

Before she could get 911 from her phone, she said, ambulances and sirens were coming from every direction.

NBC 6 Videos

Ebbey Davis was working nearby when the crash occurred.

“I heard the plane fluctuating, and when I looked back up in the air, I saw when the plane was trying to make a turn and the wings were facing up and down, straight up and down, and it went down slanted into the building," he said.

After he heard a loud boom, Davis and a few other people ran over to see what was happening.

“And by that time everything was in flames over there. Some of the cars started exploding a little bit because of the gas and everything," he said.

Firefighters doused flames on numerous vehicles after the crash, as smoke billowed from the site. Eight vehicles, a boat and a camper were destroyed.

A lone propeller was visible in the wreckage, aerial footage showed.

Little said the plane was believed to be based in Fort Lauderdale.

Four Rescued From Small Plane Crash in Biscayne Bay

No injuries were reported on the ground.

“The only thing that we can really think that would be the fortunate part of it is, like you said, that no one was in the area when this plane crashed and that it did not strike a building or land on top of a building or in the roadway,” Fort Lauderdale Police spokeswoman Detective DeAnna Garcia said.

More Local Stories:

 



Photo Credit: Fort Lauderdale plane crash aftermath

Japanese Wrestler-Turned-Politician Banned from Meetings for Mask

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A signature mask may have won a Japanese pro wrestler-turned-politician his votes — but it could put his political career at risk.
 
Skull Reaper A-ji, 44, a former professional wrestler, has been banned from attending his local city council meetings for refusing to take off his wrestling mask, the U.K.'s Telegraph reported.

The other members of the Oita city council decided that A-ji would not be allowed to attend council meetings in his mask, saying his wearing it violates council rules.
 
However, A-ji doesn’t plan on removing his mask anytime soon.

"People find it easy to come up and talk to me because I have a mask on," he told local newspaper Nishinippon Shimbun.
 
“If I take my mask off, I'm an entirely different person," he told Nikkan Sports.

A-ji was elected to his seat in the city of Oita last month after campaigning in his mask for education reform and improved social welfare facilities, according to the Telegraph.
 
Skull Reaper is not the first masked politician to be elected in Japan. Two former professional wrestlers — known as Super Delfin and The Great Sasuke in their previous jobs — were elected in recent years and faced similar criticism, the Telegraph reported.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chicano Park Officially a Historical Place

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Barrio Logan’s Chicano Park is officially on the National Register for Historic Places, city leaders announced on Friday.

The colorful park underneath the Coronado Bridge and Interstate 5 interchange is known for its elaborate murals of Mexican-American life. The park was created in 1970, after protesters blocked plans for a California Highway Patrol station in the spot.

Designation on the National Register list means Chicano Park has been recognized as a national cultural resource worthy of preservation benefits and protection from adverse effects stemming from federally funded or licensed projects.

Mayor Bob Filner called the park a unifying symbol of Barrio Logan and said the designation would help businesses in the area.

“This is truly a historic place,” he said at the designation ceremony on Friday. “It is an honor that those of you, that we are connecting our past and our present right here today."

The artwork at the park makes it very unique, said Tommie Camarillo with the Chicano Park Steering Committee.

“It truly sets a precedent for murals created during the height of the Chicano civil rights era to go forward and seek recognition to be worthy of preservation,” she said. “To have it recognized as national treasures is very important to us and our history.”


Man Dies from Meningococcal Disease

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A 39-year-old man died this week from meningococcal disease, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency.

Officials are investigating as to whether this man's illness was linked to a Tijuana case. A local baby also recovered from the same disease late last month, though the infant's case is not related to the 39-year-old man's. The department said the general public does not have an increased risk of exposure for these two cases.

The illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides and can be severe if untreated, according to the Center for Disease Control. Officials said the disease can be spread through close contact, such as sharing utensils or kissing. Symptoms include fever, intense headache, lethargy, stiff neck and/or rash that does not blanch under pressure.

Last year in San Diego there were eight meningococcal disease cases in the county.

Congressional Medal Proposed for Slain SEALs

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A San Diego representative has recommended the highest civilian medal for two former Navy SEALs who died in Benghazi, Libya last year.

The Congressional Gold Medal award is proposed for Tyrone Woods of Imperial Beach and Glen Doherty of Encinitas. They were killed when protesters broke through security at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi last September.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R – Calif.) is introducing the legislation to award the posthumous award. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award Congress gives to civilians. Since they were no longer troops, the military is unable to award them through the service.

Woods and Doherty served as SEALs before working as private security for the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi. They were killed alongside U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and former San Diego resident Sean Smith, who worked as an information officer.

Friends and family of the two men called them “fearless” and a “fighter.”

Woods three sons, 18-year-old Tyrone Jr. and 15-year-old Hunter from his first marriage and an infant named Kai from his second marriage. Doherty was in a long-term relationship with girlfriend Shannon Shepherd and kept the same group of friends he had in elementary school.

Hunter’s bill has nine republican sponsors and he is expected to introduce the idea to other leaders in the House, according to his office.

Driver in Santaluz Stroller Crash Pleads Not Guilty

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A North County attorney has entered a not guilty plea in connection with her role in a crash that killed a nanny and seriously injured a toddler.

Nanny Monserrat Mendez, 41, was killed when a driver behind the wheel of an SUV ran a red light at the intersection of Camino Del Sur and Via Verrazzano on Feb. 1.

At the time of the crash, Mendez was pushing a 14-month-old toddler in a stroller. The nanny suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital.

The toddler was hospitalized in intensive care for several days for injuries including a shattered spleen, fractured femur, pelvic fracture, broken rib, broken leg and skull fracture.

After a lengthy investigation by San Diego police, the driver of the SUV, Christine Padilla, of Del Sur, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, failure to stop at a red light and failure to yield to a pedestrian within a crosswalk.

On Friday, Padilla entered a not guilty plea. Her next trial readiness date is set for April 24. She faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

32-Year-Old Man Adopted by Former Foster Mother

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Nearly 20 years after being ripped apart from his foster parents, a 32-year-old man was officially adopted Friday in San Diego by the woman he has always considered to be his mother.

Maurice Griffin was abandoned as a baby. At age three, he found a loving family in foster parents Lisa Godbold and her husband, Charles.

“The whole reason we got into foster care in the first place is because we wanted to adopt Maurice,” recalled Godbold.

Over the next 10 years, Godbold and her husband eventually became Griffin’s foster parents, giving him the stable, happy home he had always dreamed of.

“It was a great, loving family,” said Griffin, remembering the trips to Sunday school and brunch with his foster family.

But Griffin’s happy family life didn’t last long.

Griffin says the foster system failed him, and he was abruptly taken away from the family at age 13. He and Godbold didn’t want to get into specifics about why Griffin was taken from the family, but both of them agreed it was a very painful and difficult time.

“It’s like being abducted from your family and being told to deal with it,” said Griffin.

“It was torture; It broke our hearts,” added Godbold. “Not knowing where he was and not being able to have contact with him was like having a child abducted.”

From there, Griffin bounced from other foster homes to group homes, where he says he was abused and mistreated.

Through the years and tough times, Griffin held on to his fond family memories.

Meanwhile, Godbold tried time and time again to find her long lost foster son – never giving up.

In 2009, Godbold tracked Griffin down on the internet using social media. From that point on, they vowed never to lose each other again.

Their enduring mother-son bond led them to a San Diego courtroom Friday, where Godbold officially adopted Griffin as her son.

”I’m excited – this is 20 years overdue,” said Griffin minutes before heading into the courthouse with his soon-to-be mother.

Though the adoption proceeding was short, Griffin said it was the moment he’s been waiting for all his life.

“This is probably the happiest moment in my life. I love my family and I’m happy to be home,” said Griffin, adoption paperwork in hand.

Godbold was also overwhelmed with emotion and said adopting Griffin – even at 32 years old – was a privilege.

“This completes the circle. He’s always been my son, but this just completes the circle,” she added.

Griffin now joins Godbold and her two biological children to form a happy family once again. Sadly, Godbold’s husband passed away during the time they lost contact with Griffin.

Griffin said he would have loved to be adopted by Charles Friday too, as he was a man he always admired and loved. Both Godbold and Griffin believe Charles was proudly watching over them on this special day.

Their story of family, love, loss, struggle and perseverance is something they hope will impact other foster children and foster families out there.

Godbold says the message is simple: don’t give up.

“Don’t give up – persevere. Keep looking for that love, that family connection, whether it’s with an infant or your 32-year-old child,” she added.

Griffin lives in San Diego and Godbold lives in San Jose, Calif., but now that they’re mother and son, they’ll be getting together often.

“She’s my mother,” said Griffin. “She has always been my mother.”



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Victim Advocacy Group Wants Meeting with Pope

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The group SNAP -- the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests -- wants a meeting with the newly-elected pontiff.

The group's midwest director in Chicago on Friday called for a new rule mandating abusive priests be turned over to the police.

“We want to begin a new dialogue with him, and with the church we want to begin a real dialogue about prevention of child sexual abuse," Peter Isely said outside the Chicago archdiocesan headquarters.

He was flanked by a small number of men and women abused as children asking for action to be taken against priests who have mistreated children.

"Right now if you're a priest in most parts of the world, and you have been known by your bishop to have raped or sexually assaulted a child, you get to remain in the priesthood and in most of these cases you're remaining in ministry working with children and families," Isely said.

Isely stated that the majority of priests within the church are working on behalf of children, but there is still a need to "turn a new page" and set rules for those who aren’t.

The group is also calling on Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George to aid them in setting up a meeting with the pope.

"There has probably been more progress in 15 years than there has been in 15 centuries," Isely said.

Group members said they're encouraged by the pope’s choice of "Francis" as his namesake because St. Francis was one of the greatest reformers in church history and stood for justice.

N.J. Couple Charged with Animal Cruelty

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A couple who turned in an ill, emaciated cocker spaniel to animal authorities, saying they found it in a bag on the side of a New Jersey roadway, has been charged with animal cruelty, according to the Monmouth County SPCA.
 
Victor "Buddy" Amato, the Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer with the SPCA, told NBC 4 New York that Keith Morgan, 55, and Shauna Morgan, 44, of Brick Township were charged after "interviews with the suspects and facts presented."
 
The Monmouth County prosecutor's office spokesman Charles Webster said the Morgans are facing multiple counts of animal cruelty and interfering with an investigation.
 
Alicia Necker of the Associated Humane Societies said the couple brought the dog in on Thursday, saying they found it in a black plastic bag along a road in Wall Township. The dog was believed to be in poor condition before being placed in the bag.
 
"It's severe, he's not out of the woods," Necker said. 
 
Workers at the AHS named the dog "Morgan" before it knew that the couple owned it.
 
Morgan is hooked up to two separate IVs in a restricted recovery area at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls. 
 
When NBC 4 New York visited him, he was laid out in a cage and unresponsive.
 
 

Suicide Note at Center of Marine Wife Murder Case

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A telling, graphic suicide note written by one of the defendants accused of conspiring to kill a North County Marine wife was the focal point of the case in court Friday.

Suspects Jessica Lynn Lopez, Dorothy Maraglino and Sgt. Louis Perez are accused of luring 22-year-old Marine wife Brittany Killgore into a deadly trap at their Fallbrook home last April.

Officials say Killgore was an unwilling participant in a deadly sex game at the hands of the trio, who were involved in a bondage, discipline and sadomasochistic lifestyle.

Killgore went missing on April 13 after agreeing to go on a dinner cruise with Perez, an acquaintance at the time. She was found dead – nude and mutilated – on April 17 near Lake Skinner in Riverside County.

Click here for a TIMELINE o thef Killgore Murder Case

Prosecutors claim the three defendants conspired to kidnap, torture and sexually assault Killgore.

The three defendants have been in court all week for a preliminary hearing that will determine whether there’s enough evidence for Lopez, Maraglino and Perez to stand trial.

Throughout the week, many witnesses have taken the stand, detailing Killgore’s last days and the BDSM lifestyle the defendants practiced at the home they shared on East Fallbrook Street.

On Friday, more crucial testimony hit the stand.

A detective took the stand and read the full suicide letter written by Lopez in April 2012, which describes in detail how Killgore was killed.

The letter was taken into evidence on April 17, 2012 – the same day officials found Killgore’s body. The letter was discovered along with Lopez at the Ramada Inn on Rosecrans Street, where she was taken into custody with self-inflicted wounds.

In the apparent confession letter, Lopez recalls slamming Killgore into the stairs and duct taping her wrists, ankles and mouth.

Lopez goes on to say that she used a taser on Killgore, strangled her to death and then attempted to mutilate her before dumping her body.

“I made a few attempts to chop her up like Dexter with Master’s power tools, but I was afraid it was too loud and it sucked at cutting flesh,” the detective read from the letter on the stand Friday. “Master, I know you said to respect the tools but I’m sorry, I had to throw them out. I could tell my pills were about to kick in and I knew I had to dump the body fast.”

Killgore’s family was in court Friday during testimony, listening to every word of the graphic note that allegedly offers a glimpse into the brutal death of the young Marine wife.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

WARNING Graphic Video: Cement Truck vs Cars

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A news photographer captured the collision between a tandem cement truck and several smaller vehicles on Interstate 805 east of San Diego early Friday morning.

At least five to six vehicles including the cement truck collided on the northbound lanes of I-805 near University Avenue around 3:30 a.m.

CHP said a tan Mazda van driven by a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Caltrans sign that was off the shoulder on the southbound side of the highway. The debris from the collision flew over the median into northbound traffic.

After that, CHP officials say a silver Toyota Corolla traveling northbound on I-805 struck the debris and came to a stop in the left lanes. Then, a blue Toyota Camry driving the same way struck the debris and came to a stop in the center lanes.

The driver of the blue Camry exited his car and tried to remove debris from under the front of his vehicle.

Meanwhile, a gray Toyota Camry traveling northbound on I-805 approached the scene, struck debris and stopped in the right lanes. The driver remained in his vehicle and called for help.

That’s when then cement truck approached then scene, striking the blue Toyota Camry stopped in the center lanes, as seen in the video above.

The driver outside the car was also hit by the truck and propelled toward the right shoulder. He was later taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital with major injuries.

The cement truck then jack-knifed toward the right should and collided with the gray Camry stopped in the right lanes. The driver inside that car sustained minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital.

A blue Acura was also involved in the pile-up, striking debris and coming to rest on the right shoulder.

On the video, you can see the cement truck drive between the two stopped cars then strike one of the cars before crashing into the other.

Sparks fly and loud noises can be heard on the video. Watch raw video here

Doug Calapan was driving to work when he ran into the debris. A “giant orange thing” was suddenly in front of his car.

He managed to drive over to the emergency lane along the right shoulder to collect his thoughts.

“I kept hearing people hitting the debris and I saw sparks and stuff like that,” Calapan said.

Then, he said the dual cement truck sideswiped his vehicle.

“I thought I was safe, far enough off, because it was in the second or third lane where the debris was” Calapan said.

Hearing the sound of all the metal crashing at such high speeds  was the scariest thing he has experienced.

Another driver had stepped out of his vehicle to remove debris from under his car when he was struck by the oncoming cement truck. He was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital where officials said he was in critical condition.

CHP officers closed northbound I-805 and diverted traffic to Interstate 15. Check Interactive Traffic Map

Dozens of cars were stuck on the closed highway for more than an hour following the pile-up crash.

Aaron Johnson was heading to Encinitas for work and said the fog was way too thick to see what happened.

“All you could see was brake lights, just a wall of brake lights and then you just gotta stop and just wait,” Johnson said.

People were passing the time standing on their car roofs trying to figure out what’s going on or walking around on the highway.

It took officials close to an hour to allow cars stranded on the highway to travel through one open lane.

On Friday night, the 25-year-old victim struck by the cement truck in this pile-up, Navraj Moktan, remained in critical condition at the hospital, suffering from head injuries and leg fractures. He was scheduled for surgery.

Moktan is in the U.S. on a Visa, and is originally from Nepal.

Moktan's family has created a fund to help pay for his hospital bills. Anyone wishing to donate can go to any Bank of America and donate to account # 2083813596. Friends told NBC 7 they're hopeful Moktan will pull through and recover.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Mazda van that started this chain reaction -- Aaron Clark, 22 – has been booked into jail on suspicion of DUI.

CHP says massive pile-up was fog-related due to decreased visibility on the freeway. Officials want to remind drivers that the speed limit is not the speed limit when it’s foggy, and extra precautions should be taken by motorists.

The highway reopened to traffic just before 8 a.m. Friday.



Photo Credit: SanDiegoNewsSource.com

Man Burned Trying to Save Pot

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A North Park man growing his own marijuana plants in an apartment garage was burned trying to put out a fire near the small grow operation officials said.

Several residents called 911 to report the garage fire at Alabama and Lincoln just after 6 a.m.

Neighbor Ronald Portis said he saw heard noises around 5:30 a.m. and started alerting his neighbors.

“That fire was hot, it was so orange it lit up the whole alley,” he said.

Officials evacuated residents while firefighters battled the fire. They knocked down the blaze in just a few minutes.

The man living in the apartment burned his hands trying to put out the fire himself officials said.

He was interviewed by fire investigators about the cause of the fire.

“We are investigating the grow and the legality of it as he does state to have a certificate to be allowed to have that grow,” said Lt. Joseph Ramos with San Diego police. 

A number of very hot lights were all plugged into the same outlet Ramos said.

Fire investigators believe the cause to be an overloaded electrical outlet.

Ramos wanted to remind people to avoid overloading outlets especially when there are other tenants and their homes at risk.

The garage and a nearby parked vehicle were destroyed in the fire.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Fugitive Surrenders at San Ysidro

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A 24-year-old man wanted for homicide in Seattle turned himself in at the San Ysidro border crossing on Thursday, according to officials.

Edgar Daniel Sanchez walked to the border station from Mexico and said he wanted to turn himself in to the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service. His identity was confirmed by fingerprint, according to Homeland Security.

Sanchez had an active King County warrant for homicide and assault with bail set at $1 million. Officers booked him into San Diego County Jail, where he awaits extradition to Washington.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Father Recalls Son's Fall Down 35-Foot Well

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As a Potrero man continues to recover from critical injuries sustained during a fall down a 35-foot well, the victim’s father is speaking out about the frightening incident that nearly took his son’s life.

On Sunday, 43-year-old Jerry Fowler was trying to repair pipes inside a well at his home on Potrero Circle. He and his father were standing on top of a four-inch cement cover over the well when the concrete gave out, causing Fowler to fall straight down the 35-foot hole.

The fall knocked Fowler unconscious, and he had to be rescued from the well by fire crews.

The rescue took more than two hours. At one point, crews had to drop a pump down into the well for fear the ground water would rise and possibly drown Fowler.

Once he was hoisted out of the well, Fowler was immediately hospitalized with head injuries, facial wounds and numerous broken bones.

On Tuesday, Fowler’s wife, Jessica Fowler, told NBC 7 San Diego her husband was not doing well. At that point, he was suffering from brain swelling and remained unconscious with fractures in his face and back. Fowler also needed a second surgery Monday to stop bleeding in his stomach.

Fowler had been working on the well alongside his father, Thell Fowler, when the accident happened.

Thell spoke with NBC 7 Friday about the frightening moments when his son fell into the cold, dark well. Somehow, Thell was able to keep himself from falling down with him.

[We] had no indication [the concrete] was going or nothing. I saw him going down and then I noticed I had a hold of the side of the well. That kept me from going down,” explained Thell.

Thell said he immediately called 911 to get help for his son.

He’s grateful that emergency crews were able to pull him out alive, but said his son is still facing many challenges on his road to recovery.

As of Friday evening, Fowler remains in a medically-induced coma at Sharp Hospital, suffering from a brain injury.

And, though Fowler fell 35 feet and landed on his back, Thell said the family still doesn’t know the full extent of his injuries.

“They’re not moving him because they know he’s got back problems. They’re unable to move him to do an MRI,” Thell added.

Despite the Fowler’s many injuries and long recovery ahead, Thell said his son looks good and his body remains warm.

But, he admits that right now, the progress is day to day. He and his family are hoping for the best.

“I know my mother lost my brother and I know what it’s like for a parent when you think you’re going to lose a child,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thell said the family has been receiving donations and remain in need of more support.
Thell said Fowler works as a truck driver but has no medical insurance.

The family is accepting donations through the Potrero Community Center foundation at P.O. Box 116, Potrero, Calif., 91963. The foundation helps families in need.

Those who wish to donate can also make a blood donation in Fowler’s name as well.

Woman Stuck in Ravine Drank Muddy Water to Survive

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A Del Mar woman, stuck for hours at the bottom of a steep cliff, survived by drinking muddy creek water and banging sticks together to ward off coyotes.

Elizabeth Allen, 50, was found Thursday by search and rescue crews more than a day after she was last seen running from her car along Lake Wohlford Road.

Hours after she was released from the hospital, the woman told NBC 7 San Diego she thought someone was following her as she drove home from Valley View Casino Wednesday.

When she pulled over and got out of her car, she fell 80 to 100 feet down a steep cliff.

Allen survived the night without food, water or her mobile phone that she had left on the seat of her car.

Fearful of coyotes, Allen stayed awake all night banging two sticks together. She said it was bitterly cold at night and her teeth were chattering according to her husband.

During the day, she sat under a tree to protect her from the sun.

When she got thirsty, she said she drank muddy creek water.

Allen had called her husband around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and told him she was at Valley View Casino Center.

That same day, California Patrol Officers received a call reporting a woman running from a vehicle alongside Lake Wohlford Road.

CHP officers found the car along a road considered dangerous.

“The turn is on a treacherous road that is difficult to maneuver at night if you’re not paying attention,” said Lt. Kelly Martinez with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

They towed the vehicle and used ASTREA to search for the driver but didn’t locate anyone.

On Thursday, after Allen had not returned home, her husband asked deputies to search again.

Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Handlers Pam Medhurst and Nancy Nichols were led to the area where Allen was located by SAR K-9s "Snickers" and "Haley" according to the sheriff's department Facebook page.

Rescuers stood just above where Allen was located and yelled her name but she didn’t respond. She later told NBC 7 San Diego she thought she may have been hallucinating.

Around 3 p.m. SAR crews pulled Allen from the ravine located near Lake Wohlford Road and Valley Center Road. She was dehydrated, but alert and talking according to deputies.

Since she was unable to walk, deputies brought in a helicopter to hoist her to an ambulance.

Dave Allen said his wife was treated at Palomar Hospital for poison oak, mosquito bites, cuts and blisters.

“They are very nice caring people,” Allen said. “The staff there was fantastic.”

"They all kept in touch with me they called me every hour to tell me what’s happened," he said of the rescue crews. "They never gave up hope and they had 100% commitment.”



Photo Credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Department
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