Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (01/18-01/24)

21-Year-Old Man Dies in Newport Beach Crash

Sunday, January 24 (The Orange County Register) – Zackary Topolewski-Jury, 21, died in a Santa Ana hospital Sunday morning after his sports car crashed in Newport Beach on Saturday night. The crash occurred at around 11:10 p.m. at 6904 West Coast Highway, when the silver Mustang smashed through a metal fence and struck the front door of a cat shelter. The impact destroyed the front end of the car. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.

7-Year-Old California Child Killed in Hit-and-Run by Stolen Car Involved in Robbery

Tuesday, January 19 (People.com) – Police said a 7-year-old child died after being struck by a stolen car on Monday afternoon. The child was riding on a bicycle in Milpitas, at the intersection of North Park Victoria Drive and Kennedy Drive, according to the local police department. The white Lexus SUV was reported stolen and had been involved in an armed robbery in San Jose. A mile north of the crash site, the driver, Kristalinna Pacheco, 36, ditched the car and ran, but was soon caught and arrested.  A male passenger, described by police as having blond hair and wearing glasses and a hat, sped off and remains at large; the vehicle was found unoccupied in the city of Newark on Tuesday.

California Considers Prioritizing Age Above All for COVID-19 Vaccine

Sunday, January 24 (KTLA 5) – California state officials are considering giving priority to residents 65 and older to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. However, the Sacramento Bee reported Sunday that it could take until June to completely vaccinate this age group. Teachers, farmworkers, and other essential workers may have to wait longer. At a recent state vaccine advisory committee meeting, California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Tomás J. Aragón said vaccinating older adults first could reduce the number of hospitalizations. Data presented at the meeting revealed three-quarters of COVID-19 related deaths in the state have been people 65 or older. On Sunday, the number of hospitalizations was 17,810, a 17% drop in two weeks.

Fiery Crash Caught On Camera As Vehicle Flies Into Embankment near Downtown LA Freeway

Friday, January 22 (KABC) – On Thursday, a vehicle flew off a 110 Freeway overpass in downtown Los Angeles. The crash was reported at about 10:50 p.m. near the Sixth Street exit, said the California Highway Patrol, and the driver was trapped inside. Good Samaritans and CHP officers were seen on video pulling the driver from the wrecked vehicle after it had caught fire. Firefighters were able to free the man and rushed him to a hospital in critical condition, an LAFD spokesperson said.

High-Speed Pursuit Ends near Gorman After Car Slams Into Thick Brush; Suspects Flee, Remain At Large

Friday, January 22 (ABC 7) – On Friday, a vehicle chase on Southern California highways exceeded 100 mph at times. The chase started during a traffic stop near Tehon, on the southbound 5 Freeway, and came to an end near Gorman at around 3:00 p.m. The driver and a passenger got out of the vehicle and ran down an embankment after the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into thick brush. Authorities are still searching for both individuals.

LA Man Survives Car Flying Off Overpass, Bursting Into Flames

Sunday, January 24 (motor1.com) – While Mercedes-Benz vehicles aren’t made to fly, one flew off an overpass on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles at about 10:00 p.m. Thursday night, according to the California Highway Patrol. The car burst into flames after crashing onto nearby trees. The incident was captured by Fernindo Salazar’s dashcam as he pulled over to help. Salazar, police officers, and firefighters worked to pull the man from the vehicle. Margaret Stewart of the LAFD said the man, suffering burns and unspecified injuries, was hospitalized in critical condition. As of the initial NBC Los Angeles report, there were no details on the immediate cause of the accident.

Los Angeles County Seeing 30% Fewer Coronavirus Cases, But Rates Still Elevated

Thursday, January 21 (Los Angeles Daily News) – Officials reported 30% fewer coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County compared to the week before. On Thursday, January 21, 8,512 new cases and 262 new coronavirus-related deaths were reported by a news release from public health officials. The seven-day average reported was 10,560, down from 15,182 the week prior. Hospitalizations fell 7% in a week as well. On Wednesday, January 20, the California Department of Public Health told health departments to resume administering the Moderna vaccine after distribution was halted due to possible allergic reactions. As a result, 18,000 doses are available for distribution in the county, where healthcare workers and seniors over age 65 are being vaccinated.

Man, 18, Killed After Car Collides Into Tree In Riverside

Sunday, January 24 (CBS Los Angeles) – Authorities were investigating a deadly single vehicle crash in Riverside on Sunday. Just before midnight, a 2005 Ford F150 collided with a tree after exiting the westbound 91 Freeway, killing an 18-year-old man. The crash occurred along Arlington and Riverside Avenues. The identity of the man has not been released, while two others in the car sustained major injuries. The cause remains under investigation; anyone with information can call the Riverside Police Department at 951-826-8723.