Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Gunter Family (Paul A. Gunter)

Fatal Motorcycle Accident







Loose Trailer Kills Motorcycle Driver

Was it a freak accident or operator error? Lake County deputies are investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a water pump. 36-year-old Rebecca Paulos, a passenger on the motorcycle, is in critical but stable condidion at MetroHealth Medical Center. The driver of the motorcycle died from severe injuries. Investigators tell Fox 8's Dray Clark he had to steer clear of the accident.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Man Continues To Recover From December Crash On MLK






Man Continues To Recover From December Crash On MLK

Posted: April 22, 2008 11:28 PM

He almost lost his life while waiting at a bus stop back in December.

Now, four months later the injured man told his story to Action News.

As Tania Reyes reports his family is demanding justice.

"I was really hurt," explained Duane Sconiers.

Duane Sconiers was a healthy self sufficient man who never knew a simple trip to a bus stop would change his life forever.

"You think off all the reasons and you do not know why something like this happens," said Sconiers.

In December, Duane and two of his friends were heading to the store.

While sitting at a bus stop, a truck pulling a trailer on MLK came loose and plowed right into them.

The impact of the trailer was so strong Duane lost his leg.

About half a dozen surgeries later, doctors managed to save his other leg.

Duane has been in the hospital since that tragic day.

"It hurts inside to know that I am not going to be the same Duane that I used to be," said Duane.

According to police reports, the driver was cited for not having safety chains on the trailer.

He was also cited for not having insurance.

"He was not being responsible, he put people's lives in danger and we just want justice," explained Duane's sister.

She feels the punishment was a slap on the wrist.

The family says they have tried to sue the driver, but have not been successful.

They say Duane is in debt to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Stay tuned to Action News as we monitor developing news around the Valley.



Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Float accident disrupts Homedale's homecoming parade




Float accident disrupts Homedale's homecoming parade

HOMEDALE - Homedale High School students are recovering after a float accident during their homecoming parade Friday. Six students were injured in the float accident and one was taken by Life Flight to Boise in critical condition.

The freshman float came off the hitch from the truck pulling it and then smashed into a parked car. The float didn't even make it to the parade it came loose in route.

Before the football game, the crowd gave a moment of silence for those injured in the accident

It was a very scary time for a community, and especially for nearly 20 freshmen students on the float when it became unhitched from the truck.

"My feet were hanging off the side so I moved into the middle of it because I didn't want to jump off and get my stitches ripped out," float rider Jessica Henry said.

As the float made a turn on its way to the homecoming parade, it crashed into a parked car.

Aiesha Zenor is one of the five students injured.

"I just remember like flying off and sliding on my side and then I... when I woke up or whatever everybody was like screaming and I looked down and my wrist was bleeding and I couldn't move my arm,” Zenor said.

Zenor along with four other of her classmates were taken to West Valley Medical Center in Nampa with minor injuries.

Unlike her classmates, Martha Benitez wasn't able to make it to the homecoming festivities.

She was transported by Life Flight to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center with a fractured skull, and was later transported to another hospital for further treatment.

Superintendent Tim Rosandick says this unfortunate event clearly had an impact on the day's festivities.

"We care a great deal about our students, and it saddens us that we had this accident today,” Rosandick said. “I am pleased with the kind of reaction that the safety professionals performed for our kids, and I think we've done a good job of responding appropriately."

They built the float Friday morning and Aiesha and Jessica said they had a rough go with the float from the beginning.

When they were welding it together, it caught on fire torching the whole thing. They ended up having to start over from scratch.