This Week In The News (11/18-11/22)

101 Freeway WB Lanes Reopen Following Deadly Crash

Thursday, November 21 (ABC 7) – A Thursday morning crash on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills resulted in one fatality. The accident was being covered by AIR7 HD by 6:00 a.m. According to authorities, at least two vehicles were involved. Traffic was backed up for at least 5 miles as three westbound lanes were closed, but all were reopened by about 9:00 a.m.

2-Year-Old Girl Dies Days After Fiery Stevenson Ranch Crash That Left Sister Dead, Mother Hospitalized

Wednesday, November 20 (ABC 7) – A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol’s Newhall office confirmed a 2-year-old girl died two days after a crash in Stevenson Ranch. The girl’s 6-year-old sister, Kathleen Lopez, died the day of the crash. Her mother remains hospitalized with major injuries. Investigators say their car was involved in one crash on The Old Road before 9:45 a.m. Monday, and then a second when it struck a power pole after running a red light. Good Samaritans helped rescue the occupants before the car erupted in flames.

Ex-Uber Driver Convicted of Raping Female Passenger in North Hollywood

Thursday, November 21 (KTLA 5) – After jurors deliberated for two days, 49-year-old Alice Spence was convicted of one count of rape of an intoxicated woman, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The incident occurred on June 23, 2017 at a motel in North Hollywood while Spence was working as an Uber driver. After picking up the 24-year-old woman in downtown L.A., he drove her to the motel. Spence will be sentenced on January 29 and could serve eight years in prison.

2 Major Storms, Including 1 in Southern California Could Snarl Thanksgiving Travel

Thursday, November 21 (KTLA 5) – As 50 million people travel by road Thanksgiving week (by AAA estimates), two large storms are expected to affect the country. The first storm will push east of the Rockies on Tuesday and bring snow to the Plains and then rain to snow in Chicago with temperature drops of 5-15°F. Snow will also affect parts of Wisconsin and Michigan. On late Wednesday, another storm will bring heavy rain to Southern California and snow to the Sierras. Rain is expected to clear the Northeast on Wednesday and in time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Sherman Oaks Worker in Grave Conditions After Industrial Accident

Thursday, November 1 (NBC Los Angeles) – After being trapped under lumber in a Sherman Oaks industrial accident on Thursday, a construction worker was rushed to a hospital in grave condition. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the accident occurred at 14241 W. Ventura Blvd. and was reported at 8:42 a.m. The man was freed by co-workers, after being trapped for several minutes, who performed CPR before firefighters and paramedics arrived.

Venice Nonprofit Receives $5 Million From Amazon CEO’s Homelessness Fund

Thursday, November 21 (NBC 4) – St. Joseph Center, a nonprofit organization that provides services for families/individuals experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, announced it received $5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. The organization will use the grant to provide shelter for homeless people before transitioning them into permanent housing. It is one of 32 organizations in the U.S. to receive funds from the program, led by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The fund (launched in 2018) issued a total of $98.5 million in grants this year.

Boy, 14 on Skateboard Killed by a Hit-and-Run Driver in Monterey Park

Thursday, November 21 (NBC 4) – Joshua Madrid, 14, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Monterey Park on Monday night, while riding his skateboard. The victim’s family and friends left photos, flowers, and candles at the crash site—the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Newmark Avenue. Police have released two photos of vehicles nearby at the time of the crash, one which was a white or light-colored minivan, and the other a dark SUV.

LeBron James Makes NBA History With Triple-Double Against Thunder (Video)

Tuesday, November 19 (NBC 4) – Alex Caruso and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers discussed James’s milestone of making history with a triple-double against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team won a 112-107 victory on Tuesday night. James attributed his success to his teammates and coaches. Caruso said he was surprised LeBron James “didn’t make the accomplishment earlier” and “didn’t realize it was the only team he had ever done it against.”