Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (11/02-11/08)

Gatherings Likely to Blame for Coronavirus Case Number Uptick in L.A. County: Health Official

Monday, November 2 (KTLA 5) – Officials reported 1,400 new COVID-19 cases Monday amidst an uptick in infections across Los Angeles County. A weekly survey from the University of Southern California Center for Social and Economic Research found an increase in the number of people gathering with others outside their households, partly because of watch parties and celebrations associated with championships by the Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers. The county remains in a restrictive purple tier, so many businesses remain closed, while officials also expressed concern over gatherings during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and end-of-year holidays. Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, urged people to wear masks and follow other safety precautions during get-togethers.

Reckless DUI Suspect in Big Truck Detained After Hitting Pole During Pursuit in Valley Glen

Wednesday, November 4 (KTLA 5) – A pickup truck driver was taken into custody Wednesday night following a pursuit across the San Fernando Valley. Originally wanted on suspicion of reckless DUI, according to law enforcement, the driver struck and leveled a light pole in Valley Glen after exiting the 101 Freeway at Woodman Avenue and weaving through residential streets. The impact stopped the truck, after which the driver exited and surrendered to authorities.

Prop 22: California Votes to Keep App-Based Drivers Independent Contractors in Win for Uber, Lyft

Tuesday, November 3 (KTLA 5) – Voters supported Proposition 22 on Tuesday, which keeps Uber, Lyft, and other app-based drivers as independent contractors. Uber and Lyft shares jumped 11% to 13% following the victory. Both had threatened to pull out of California if they lost the vote, along with support from businesses such as DoorDash and Instacart. The measure was supported statewide, except for the San Francisco Bay Area and some northern coastal counties. It follows a state law, known as AB5, passed last year that limited businesses from classifying some workers as independent contractors.

Fatal Crash Investigation Prompts Temporary Closure of NB 101 Freeway Through Downtown L.A.

Thursday, November 5 (KTLA 5) – The northbound 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles was closed Thursday morning during a fatality investigation. According to the California Highway Patrol, a crash was reported at about 4:50 a.m. near Alameda Street. Police found a pedestrian, pronounced dead at the scene, who had been struck by a vehicle, said a spokesperson for the CHP. No word was released on why the pedestrian was on the freeway.

Toddler Fights for Life After Being Struck by Hit-and-Run Driver While Trick-or-Treating in San Bernardino

Tuesday, November 3 (KTLA 5) – On Saturday night, a 3-year-old boy was struck and critically injured by a hit-and-run driver while trick-or-treating. Reported at about 8:15 p.m., the crash occurred near the intersection of 35^th Street and North Sierra Way, according to the San Bernardino Police Department. The boy was transported to a local hospital, where he was reported to be in critical but stable condition. Identified as Richard “Richie” Martinez on a GoFundMe page, he had just stepped off the sidewalk when he was struck, walking with his mother and two brothers. The vehicle was described as a silver Toyota Camry.

Good Samaritan Pulls 6 From Burning Boat in Huntington Harbour

Monday, November 2 (KTLA 5) – According to local officials, a good Samaritan pulled six people out of a boat in Huntington Harbor on Sunday. Firefighters arrived around 12:45 p.m., according to the Huntington Beach Fire Department, as someone pulled up to the bow of the boat on their dinghy, pulled the victims to safety, and brought them to Warner Fire Station. Two men, a woman, a boy, and a girl were injured, an Orange County sheriff’s official reported; a sixth person was not injured. It’s unclear what caused the fire but, after the incident, fire officials urged boaters to make sure children younger than 13 wear an approved life jacket while on a moving vessel.

2 Killed in Crash on 57 Freeway in Pomona Area that Prompted Hourslong SigAlert for Southbound Lanes

Tuesday, November 3 (KTLA 5) – Two people were killed in a crash involving an SUV that struck the back of a parked big rig on the 57 Freeway Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on the southbound side of the freeway near Temple Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. Aerial footage showed a red SUV stuck under the back of a big rig on the right shoulder. All lanes were reopened by about 10:15 a.m., the CHP said; the cause of the crash was under investigation.

3 People Killed in Oceanside Crash

Thursday, November 5 (KTLA 5) – A Mitsubishi Outlander SUV crashed into a traffic pole in Oceanside and caught fire on Thursday afternoon, according to authorities, killing three people. A California Highway Patrol officer said the vehicle was traveling westbound on State Route 78, veered off the road, and went down an embankment. It then hit a fence and struck a pole on surface streets. The incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m., after which the blaze was extinguished by CHP officers who determined the victims died from the crash and not the fire.