LA County Shatters COVID-19 Case, Death, Hospitalization Records

Thursday, December 17 (CBS Los Angeles) – On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health reported 22,422 new COVID-19 cases and 138 deaths. While health officials reported about 7,000 backlog cases were included in that total, it raises the total cases countywide to 566,005 and deaths to 8,568. Average daily deaths have spiked 297% since November 9, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, county public health director, said. The health department also said that hospitalizations have spiked from 800 in early November to about 5,000. Officials have expressed concern over nursing shortages and overcrowded emergency rooms; according to the director of the Emergency Medical Service Agency, some hospitals have had to divert ambulances to other facilities. On Wednesday, the state also reported ICU capacity in Southern California dropped to 0.5%.

California Sets Teachers, First Responders, Grocery Workers for Next COVID-19 Vaccines

Wednesday, December 16 (NBC Los Angeles) – With 8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines expected in California by early next year, officials are deciding which groups to prioritize. The first 3 million vaccines are already being distributed to health care workers and staff in long-term care facilities. A panel of 16 medical experts have settled on providing 1.4 million education and child care providers, 1.1 million emergency services providers, and 3.4 million food and agricultural workers with vaccines. Nonetheless, officials say there won’t be enough vaccine for everyone until next spring.

The panel and a committee encompassing representatives of 60 community organizations have been lobbied by dozens of professions to include members in the next round of vaccines. These include ride-hailing drivers, news reporters, court workers, public transit workers, retailers, pharmacists, Amazon employees, and others, while officials have expressed concerns over decision making and some “cutting the line.”

2 Found Dead After Car Slams Into Tree in San Bernardino 

Monday, December 14 (KTLA 5) – Two people, who have not been identified, were killed in a single-vehicle crash in San Bernardino at about 12:20 a.m. Monday. Police found the vehicle had slammed into a tree at the intersection of Rialto and Tippecanoe Avenues. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash, which caused the vehicle to split into three pieces as video from the scene showed, remains unknown.

California Cites 2 Firms in Death of Construction Worker at SoFi Stadium

Tuesday, December 15 (KTLA 5) – California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited Fabritec Structures and ZD Inspections for violations in connection with the death of a construction worker at SoFi Stadium. According to the Los Angeles Times, a combined five citations were issued with proposed penalties totaling over $54,000. The worker, Juan Becerra, an employee of ZD Inspections, fell about 120 feet through a roof opening at the stadium in June. While his employer was cited for not correcting unsafe conditions and other violations, Fabritec Structures was cited for not installing temporary railings and toeboards or covers around the opening.

Man Charged With Murder in Hemet DUI Crash That Killed 2 Women

Wednesday, December 16 (KTLA 5) – Jesus Rios, 33, of Downey was charged with murder and DUI causing bodily injury in connection with the killing of Emily Hale and Dan Adkins-Radford, both 21, after crashing into their car in Hemet last weekend, officials said. The crash also seriously hurt Alyssa Salas, according to a court filing. The Hemet Police Department said the victims were in a Honda Fit hatchback, stopped at a red light, when they were rear ended by a BMW 535i. Rios attempted to flee the scene, but police said a witness prevented him from escaping, and is now in custody on $1 million bail.

2 Killed as Several Vehicles Collide on 210 Freeway in Glendora

Thursday, December 17 (KTLA 5) – Two people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the 210 Freeway in Glendora, which occurred at about 12:13 a.m. on Thursday. Prompting the temporary closure of several east and westbound lanes, the crash involved a total of six vehicles on the eastbound side and a seventh on the westbound side. One person killed was either ejected or struck after exiting their vehicle, while the second fatality involved a separate vehicle on the eastbound side. The freeway was reopened by 7:00 a.m. It’s unclear what caused the crash or how the driver of the first vehicle lost control.

18-Year-Old Woman Dies After Car Slams Into Tree, Catches Fire in Chino: Police

Tuesday, December 15 (KTLA 5) – According to police, an 18-year-old woman was killed after her vehicle slammed into a tree in Chino and caught fire on Monday night. Police responded to a vehicle fire in the 13400 block of Central Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. The 18-year-old driver died at the scene while officers rescued two people from the vehicle. One occupant was on the sidewalk when police arrived. The passengers included a 19-year-old woman from Corona, a 19-year-old man from Chino Hills, and a 20-year-old man from Chino; one was hospitalized in critical condition while two others were listed in stable condition, according to police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

James, Davis Back on Court for Lakers as Season Draws Near

Thursday, December 17 (The Associated Press) – LeBron James and Anthony Davis are back on the court with the Los Angeles Lakers less than a week before the NBA regular season starts. Just over two months ago, the Lakers won the NBA title. Both played the preseason for the first time Wednesday night, in which Los Angeles scored a 112-107 victory at Phoenix. James scored 11 points in 15 minutes and Davis had 10 points in 17½ minutes. Kyle Kuzma was in the starting lineup along with newcomers Dennis Schroder and Marc Gasol. Elsewhere on Wednesday, the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-93, the Chicago Bulls beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-103, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trailblazers 126-95.