This Week In The News (02/18-02/22)

NBA Roundtable: Will LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Make Playoffs?

Thursday, February 21 (USA Today) – In a discussion, USA Today Sports’ Jeff Zillgit said not to count out LeBron James for the basketball playoffs, while Martin Rogers believes that, although James could carry the team back, they probably won’t make it this year. AJ Neuharth-Keusch said no, referencing James’ absence due to a groin injury and the Laker’s current position in the league. Giving a yes, Matt Eppers agreed it won’t be easy and is not ready to bet against the team making the playoffs.

Chatsworth Man and Woman Identified as Fatal Victims in De Soto Avenue Crash; 9-Year-Old Critical

Tuesday, February 19 (Los Angeles Daily News) – Timothy Deneen, 72, and Yolanda Gonzalez, 73, of Chatsworth were identified as those killed in a two-car collision at De Soto Avenue and Plummer Street on Sunday afternoon. Both victims died at the scene. A nine-year-old girl in the back seat of their 2003 Toyota Avalon was severely injured. The vehicle was struck by a speeding 2011 Infiniti M37, driven by a 26-year-old man from Granada Hills, who was severely injured and later hospitalized.

Worker Killed by Exploding Tire at John Wayne Airport

Wednesday, February 20 (CBS Los Angeles) – A worker at John Wayne Airport was killed instantly Tuesday when a 4-foot-tall tire he was standing on exploded. The accident occurred in a workshop under Gate 3, at about 11:30 a.m., as he was repairing a jet bridge tire. A second worker was not injured. Both were employees of JBT, a local contractor. Cal OSHA is expected to investigate the accident.

Arizona Cardinals’ Josh Rosen OK after Car Crash in Los Angeles

Tuesday, February 19 (Fox News) – Josh Rosen, quarterback with the Arizona Cardinals, was in a crash involving a Tesla on Saturday. Rosen was not injured in the crash. Afterwards, he posted a picture on Instagram of himself posing with the damaged vehicle, writing the caption, “Dude, I’m telling you the NFL doesn’t test for this stuff.”

Police Pursuit Ends with Deadly Crash in Whittier

Monday, February 18 (CBS Los Angeles) – A police pursuit, following a road range incident, resulted in a fiery crash and the death of Esias Cruz. The suspect, Kevin Vargas, 34, of Santa Fe Springs, attempted to flee police during a three- to four-minute pursuit, during which he tried to ram police with his car and struck Cruz’s Ford on Wardman Street. The suspect was injured in the crash, hospitalized, and faces multiple felonies.

Thousand Oaks Man Killed in Fall While Trail Running Near Mt. Wilson

Monday, February 18 (KTLA 5) – Ernesto Alonzo Rodriguez, 38, of Thousand Oaks died Sunday after he slipped and fell nearly 200 feet. Rodriguez was running with friends on a trail near Mount Wilson, and slipped on ice at about 10:45 a.m. According to authorities, he fell down the embankment, striking objects on the rough terrain. A rescue was conducted on foot after a rescue helicopter failed to access the scene due to snowfall.

Two Killed, One Critically Injured in Crash at Otay Mesa Intersection

Tuesday, February 19 (CBS 8) – On Tuesday night, two men were killed, and a woman critically injured, when their car collided with a big rig after running a red light. The fatal wreck occurred at the intersection of Otay Mesa Road and Sanyo Avenue in San Diego just before 6:30 p.m. At about 5:00 p.m., U.S. Border Patrol surveillance video captured the man and woman crossing the border and entering the car, which agents said was traveling over 100 miles per hour.

Lawmaker Proposes ‘No Speed Limit Lane’ on California Highways

Tuesday, February 19 (WINK) – Senator John Moorlack (R-Orange County) proposed bill SB319 to allow no speed limit lanes on both sides of I-5 and Highway 99. The proposal, which calls for new lanes on roads from Bakersfield to Stockton, is intended to ease traffic during holiday weekends. Moorlach sees his plan as an alternative to a high-speed rail line that is years away from construction.