Citing a source at the Department of Homeland Security, the Associated Press has reported that the oil rig was not actively producing. However, as of approximately 1:15, the media began reporting that an oil sheen has been seen spreading from the rig. The oil sheen is reported to be a mile long and about 100 feet wide.
The oil rig accident occurred west of the area where the Deepwater Horizon exploded in April. This platform was located approximately 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay, Louisiana, floating on shallower waters than the Deepwater Horizon. Reports have varied -- some say the oil rig was operating a well 2,500 underwater, while others say the rig is floating in waters only 340 feet deep.
Timeline of Today's Oil Rig Accident in the Gulf of Mexico
]]> At 9 a.m. Central Time, the platform radioed a distress call. By 9:19, the Coast Guard had received two calls saying an oil rig was in flames.The Coast Guard scrambled seven helicopters to respond to the burning oil platform, according to Katherine McNamara, spokesperson for the 8th District office of the Coast Guard in New Orleans.
The first rescuers reached the scene at 10:30 a.m. and by 11 all seven helicopters were on the scene -- five from the New Orleans Coast Guard district and two from the Houston district -- along with five Coast Guard cutters.
Early reports said that the platform's entire crew of 13 was in the water. All 13 have been accounted for and have been evacuated to a hospital in Houma, Louisiana. It has been reported that one oil platform crew member was injured, but the worker's condition has not been released to the press.
News reports have said that smoke was visibly rising from the platform, but information is still not complete. As of approximately 1:15, the media was reporting that the oil rig continues to burn. Mariner Energy has reportedly deployed three firefighting vessels to the site, and one is already in place fighting the blaze. It is not known whether the oil rig is in danger of floundering.
This story is actively ongoing, and we will attempt to keep readers up to date as events unfold. Also, please note that the New York Times is continually updating the story at the link below.
Sources:
"Offshore Oil Platform in the Gulf of Mexico Explodes" (The New York Times, September 2, 2010)
"Oil sheen spreading from Gulf platform explosion" (Associated Press, September 2, 2010)
]]>Over the weekend, new information was revealed about the fatal car accident: Williams's neighbor has come forward to testify that the wrongful death crash was the culmination of a day-long drinking binge.
The neighbor, Ryan Davis, revealed that he and Williams had drunk nearly a gallon of whiskey on Monday evening as they lifted weights at Williams's house -- and that was before they went out to drink.
They continued their pre-bar drinking, stopping at a gas station for a 12-pack before heading to beach bars. At The Islander, The Break and Paddy O'Leary's, the pair drank at least two more pitchers of beer.
Davis decided to walk home, but Williams stayed behind at the bar to shoot pool.
"He was intoxicated," Davis told Assistant State Attorney Jennie Kinsey.
Davis heard the car accident as he was walking home. He saw Ian Smith lying in the road and saw Williams drive by with a spider-web breakage pattern on his windshield -- a detail other witnesses had also mentioned. Davis attempted to help Smith, but the young man was pronounced dead approximately an hour after the crash.
Hearing on Friday Reveals a Pattern of Dangerous Driving
]]> Williams is now charged with DUI manslaughter in addition to the charges that were announced last week. A hearing was held on Friday before Circuit Judge Ron Swanson to determine the final charges and whether Williams would be released from jail pending trial. He will not.According to the deputy who served the arrest warrant on him, Williams says he did not know he had hit Smith. Corporal John Freeman, a traffic homicide investigator, testified in Friday's hearing that the deputy told him Williams had said, "I hit something on the beach that night, but I don't know what."
The hearing also revealed that Williams has had his driver's license suspended in California, Oregon and New Jersey and does not hold a driver's license in Florida. It was not revealed whether his previous driver's licenses were suspended for DUI.
Williams also has a criminal record including convictions for burglary, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.
Still unresolved is one witness's claim that the August 24 car accident was not a random hit and run, but that Williams and Smith had been arguing before the crash. The State Attorney's Office is conducting an ongoing investigation.
The addition of the DUI homicide charge is significant for any potential wrongful death claim by Smith's family. If Davis's claims are shown to be true, the family could bring claims against the gas station and the three bars. If it was obvious that Williams was drunk, any establishment that provided him with further alcohol might be considered negligent. Punitive damages are also often awarded in drunk driving accidents.
Related Resource:
"Daylong binge led to hit-run, friend says" (Pensacola News Journal, August 28, 2010)
]]>About 1:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Ian Smith was standing on the grass shoulder of Via de Luna near a popular area strip mall. According to police reports, Smith was standing between the westbound lane of Via de Luna and a parking lot when a car hit the raised curb, went over it, and struck Smith down -- then continued west on Via de Luna.
Smith was taken to Baptist Hospital after the car accident. He was pronounced dead about an hour later, at approximately 2:15 a.m.
]]> Witnesses to the hit and run described the car that hit Smith as a Toyota Camry with a heavily damaged or shattered windshield. The Camry was later found and is said to contained physical evidence of the wrongful death crash. According to the Pensacola News Journal, physical evidence and witness identifications were used to determine that Williams was the driver of the Toyota Camry.Police arrested Williams without incident at his home late Tuesday. He is charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, driving with a suspended license and having no valid driver's license. In addition to the criminal charges, he may face a wrongful death claim by Smith's family.
Related Resource:
"Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run at Pensacola Beach" (Pensacola News Journal, August 25, 2010)
]]>The dog attack took place on Pinedale Lane in Escambia County, according to officials. The boy, whose name has not been released, was walking to a bus stop with his friend. Two dogs escaped from their yard and, when the boys started to run, one of the dogs bit the boy.
The boy sustained puncture wounds and torn muscles on his arms, and was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital. The construction worker suffered dog bites to his right arm and was taken to West Florida Hospital.
James Chavers, the owner of the dog, whose name is Harley, also attempted to help the boy and was able to pull the attacking dog off of him. Chavers was not injured.
According to Sonya Daniel, spokesperson for Escambia County, both of the dogs are now under quarantine at the Escambia County animal shelter. An investigation will be conducted to determine whether the two dogs are dangerous and what will be done.
What Should You Do If a Dog Attacks You Or Your Child?
]]> Unfortunately, dog bite injuries to children and adults are all too common. While we can't control other people's dogs, we can learn how to approach unfamiliar dogs, and how to respond when dogs attack. Know what to do and teach your children.When approaching an unfamiliar dog:
If a dog attacks you, your response can make a big difference in whether the dog bites you at all, or how serious the bite may be:
Related Resources:
The two airmen were chased by military police after they left the base late Friday night -- a chase that reached speeds of at least 100 miles per hour as they traveled up Lewis Turner Boulevard toward Fort Walton Beach. Just as the pursuing officers decided that the high-speed chase was too dangerous to continue, the airmen's vehicle flipped into the air and crashed into a tree.
"He tried turning (on Range Road), trying to lose the cops," Kagan told the Destin Log. "It was definitely a chase."
Kagan described the two vehicles leaving the gate at Eglin and speeding along Lewis Turner Boulevard. He was heading in the opposite direction but stopped to see what was happening and to offer help. He turned his van around just in time to see the airmen's truck "flipping upside down and landing in the trees."
Car Accident Was So Forceful It Took 4 Hours to Peel the Pickup Off the Tree
]]> Lois Walsh, a spokesperson for Eglin, said that the driver had been speeding while driving on base, which is why the security team was pursuing them. According to the accident report, the driver ran a red light after leaving Elgin and reached a speed in excess of 100 mph. At that point, the military police who were in pursuit determined it was unsafe to continue the chase and prepared to slow down.A minute later, the pursuing officer radioed the base that "the vehicle was going to wreck if it maintained these speeds." About 10 seconds later, the airmen's vehicle crashed.
Ocean City-Wright Fire Department Chief Billy Lord says that the airmen's small pickup truck was wrapped around the tree so tightly that it took rescue workers more than three hours to extricate the two airmen.
"That truck and them were wrapped around the tree together," Lord told the Destin Log. "The vehicle was on its side, and the tree was in the cab."
As rescue crews worked to extricate the men from their crushed vehicle, paramedics had to squeeze into the truck as best as they could to provide medical care.
"They were all wrapped up in all that metal," Lord said. "We had to be careful not to cut them."
They were airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. As of Monday, one had been released and the other was still hospitalized but in good condition.
Even after the men were taken away by helicopter, crews had to work at least another hour to remove the remains of the truck from the tree. Lewis Turner Boulevard was closed for at least two hours.
Military law enforcement from Elgin is still investigating the car accident. Walsh told the Destin Log on Monday that no charges had yet been filed and that it was too early in the investigation to know if any would be.
Related Resource:
"Witness to high speed chase: He was flying" (The Destin Log, August 16, 2010)
]]>According to Sharon Crowell-Davis, a professor of veterinary behavior at the University of Georgia, the most common reason dogs bite is fear. Dogs develop fear based mostly on environmental factors, although some dogs may be more prone to it than others.
The best way to prevent dog bites -- and in particular injuries to children -- is to expose your dog to a variety of people and situations over time -- a process known as socialization.
"The onus is on you if you have [a] big, powerful dog. You need to appropriately train it so it acts nice," says Crowell-Davis.
When Done Right, Socialization Is Easy for Puppies
]]> The first six months of a dog's life are the best time for him to learn socialization skills. Responsible dog owners should get started right away by introducing puppies to a variety of people in a variety of situations. Puppies typically learn to place nice quickly and easily when given opportunities to meet and learn to trust both children and adults of both genders, people of various races and people in uniforms.Crowell-Davis cautions against treating a dog like a doll or a child. People need to understand that dogs are dogs, and give them the appropriate training and feedback.
"It's a good thing we have this animal that is part of the family, and we love it and it loves us back," she says. "But we have to understand it's a dog. We may think of it as a 4-year-old child, but 4-year-olds don't go chasing joggers. Dogs are predators and they can go into hunting behavior, and not just for deer and rabbits."
Intervention Is Still Possible for Older, Ill-Trained or Nervous Dogs
While it may not be as easy as with a puppy, socialization can -- and should -- be a part of an older dog's training. When people adopt shelters dogs and discover they have behavior issues, many just assume there is nothing to be done. In fact, proper socialization can resolve a lot of problems, and help is available.
For example, "Nervous Nelly" courses -- dog socialization classes designed for skittish dogs -- are widely available, and you can see positive results in as few as six weeks.
For Everyone's Safety: Tips on Socializing Your Dog
Related Resource:
"Fearsome or fearful dogs benefit from socialization" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 23, 2010)
]]>The car accident occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. in southwestern Escambia County, just east of the Perdido Bay Golf Course. 19-year-old Christopher Gismondi of Pensacola was driving a 2002 Dodge van eastbound on Doug Ford Drive when he tried to turn left onto Sorrento Road/Highway 292.
Gismondi stopped at the stop sign, then continued into the intersection, where the van was struck by an oncoming car. The collision caused the van to spin out of control and cross to the opposite side of Sorrento, where it came to a stop on the south shoulder of the road.
]]> Gismondi told the Florida Highway Patrol that he thought the other car, a 2000 four-door Jaguar driven by Maria Whitmer of Pensacola, was going to make a right turn at the intersection. He failed to notice when Whitmer continued straight on Sorrento.Neither driver and none of the other three passengers in the van was injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol has ticketed Gismondi with making an improper left turn in front of opposite traffic.
Related Resource:
"Girl, 9, injured in two-car wreck" (Pensacola News Journal, August 13, 2010)
]]>Three off-duty firefighters were across the bayou at the time of the boat accident and witnessed the crash. They rushed to the scene and helped while awaiting help from other emergency personnel.
No one was on the dock at the time of the boat accident, but one member of the boating party was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with non life-threatening injuries.
Three other passengers suffered minor injuries and were taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, according to Scott Funchess, battalion chief for Ocean City-Wright. Three others in the group were not injured.
]]> According to FWC spokeswoman Joy Hill, the boaters were from another state. Their identities were not released. Hill told the Destin Log that the investigation would take some time to complete.It is not yet clear whether alcohol was a factor in the boat accident.
The Destin Log was unable to reach the owner of the dock and boathouse for comment.
Related Resource:
"Boathouse collapses in Shalimar; four injured" (The Destin Log, August 2, 2010)
]]>Driver Singh Jaspal, 53, of Clovis, California, was hauling a trailer-load of white, five-cheese blend destined for a Little Caesars Pizza restaurant. He was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near the Alabama border when the truck accident occurred.
When the brakes on the trailer failed, Jaspal was able to quickly disconnect the bobcat tractor from the trailer and pull away before the wrecked trailer burst into flame. He escaped without injury and was not cited for the incident.
The semi-trailer, which was virtually torn in half by the crash, ignited and burned long enough for the majority of the bagged cheese to melt all over the highway. Other drivers reported a nauseating smell of bubbling pizza cheese mixed with burned rubber.
]]> The gooey mess had to be scooped from the Interstate by a front-end loader and deposited in a large container on the road's shoulder, which took more than six hours. The damage to the trailer and the lost cheese is estimated at around $30,000.Both of the eastbound lanes of 1-10 were blocked off during the fire and cleanup, which lasted through rush hour. Traffic was diverted to the shoulder in order to allow evening traffic to move at all. Traffic remained slow until as late as 8 p.m.
According to the PNJ, other motorists pointed and laughed as traffic crept past the charred semi-trailer and the cheesy mess.
Related Resource:
"Flames serve up freeway fondue" (Pensacola News Journal, August 6, 2010)
]]>The petition was formally presented by Tom Daniel Jr., who lives of Paradise Beach Circle in West Pensacola. The residents are asking the Commission for "corrective traffic safety action to reduce major public safety hazards" on the stretch of U.S. 98, which is also known as the Lillian Highway.
The portion of U.S. 98 in question runs from approximately Bauer Road and the Perdido Bridge in West Pensacola. The section begins just west of the Paradise Beach Commerce Park and passes through Perdido, Navy Acres, Perdido Heights, Perdido Manor and Paradise Beach, just before the bridge.
]]> According to the petition, "this 1.5-mile area of Highway 98 has produced a disproportionate number of preventable major tragic fatal accidents." The group goes on to point out that there have been more than seven major wrecks, including fatal car accidents, which caused personal injury and private property damage, including loss of electrical power in nearby areas.News of the petition was reported on August 3 in the Pensacola News Journal blog "Page's Notebook," which covers the local government beat in Escambia County. No news was yet available about how the Escambia County Commission will respond to the residents' petition.
Related Resource:
"Residents petitioning for traffic safety measures" (Page's Notebook blog, Pensacola News Journal, August 3, 2010)
]]>Whiplash is essentially the adult version of "shaken baby syndrome." Women, the elderly and people with certain chronic or degenerative conditions are at increased risk. The symptoms range from pain and swelling to cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating and memory loss.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Whiplash?
Whiplash is a tearing of the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the neck that occurs when the body is exposed to a sudden jolt, such as in a car accident, a fall, or a blow to the head while playing sports. The injury is most common in rear-end collisions, but can occur from a collision from any direction. It doesn't have to be a high-speed crash -- whiplash can occur in car accidents involving speeds of only 15 mph.
]]> Consider the physics of a car accident. In a collision, the car is abruptly accelerated forward (or in another direction). Everything in the car, including your body, resists this sudden forward motion, which is why you feel pushed back in your seat. Braced against the seat, your torso is carried forward with the car. If your head is not braced, it can be jerked back for a second or so.The jolt of the crash can whip your head up and back, tearing muscles and other structures in your neck. Your neck's reflex reaction is to pull your head forward, but that can be overdone in a car accident, making the injury worse.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Often, the symptoms of whiplash are not immediately apparent after a car accident. They typically take 12 to 24 hours develop, and the symptoms may get worse every day until properly treated. Whiplash commonly takes several months to heal with appropriate medical treatment, but about 18 percent of patients experience chronic pain for as long as two years after the accident.
Common symptoms of whiplash can occur in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms, and can include:
Diagnosis often involves x-rays, CT scans and MRI's. Treatment can require stabilization of the neck using a foam cervical collar, pain medication and physical therapy. It may also require interventions for depression and sleep issues.
How Can I Reduce the Risk of a Whiplash Injury?
Your first line of defense against whiplash is to wear seatbelts and shoulder straps and to properly position your headrest. The top of the headrest should be just below the top of your head. Everyone in the car should routinely adjust the headrest just as they routinely fasten their safety belts.
Keep in mind, however, that whiplash can be caused by a collision from any direction. If your head snaps to the side, for example, the headrest will not be in a position to protect you.
After any car accident, be aware of your symptoms. If you are experiencing any neck pain, be sure to have yourself evaluated by a doctor. Early treatment is the most effective.
Related Resources:
General Information About Rabies and Animal Bites
The victim of the rabid cat attack reported that the cat was unusually aggressive, which is a common symptom of rabies. Whether the animal has rabies or is healthy, however, dog bites and domestic animal attacks are most likely to cause injuries to children, but the unusual aggression exhibited by rabid animals makes them nearly as likely to attack adults.
]]> 85 percent of rabies cases are caused by attacks by wildlife, such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. When domestic cats and dogs get rabies, it is generally because they were bitten by wild animals that had the rabies virus.Rabies vaccination is mandatory for pets in Florida, starting at age four months. Failure to have your pet vaccinated for rabies can result in a fine of up to $500, plus your pet can be impounded by animal control. You would then be required to pay for the costs of the impound and obtain the rabies vaccination within 72 hours.
Because of the active threat identified by the rabid cat that was found, Santa Rosa County Animal Services is currently impounding all unvaccinated pets and quarantining them for 10 days.
Anyone Bitten by an Animal Should Get Immediate Medical Care
In case of a dog bite or attack by another animal:
Safety Tips to Keep You, Your Family and Your Pets Safe
Related Resources:
"Vessels that break free can cause problems to waterways by causing fuel and oil pollution, drifting into bridges, docks, seawalls and piers, and interfering with navigation," said Capt. Carol Keyser with FWC's Boating and Waterways Section in a news release.
"Now is the time to properly secure your vessel to make sure it doesn't break free and cause damage to property or result in people getting injured."
Florida law can hold you responsible for costs and damage caused by unmoored or abandoned vessels. Unfortunately, the state is often overwhelmed with lost and damaged vessels after significant storms.
]]> If you trailer your boat, the FWC recommends you secure it in a safe location, let some of the air out of the trailer's tires, block the wheels and, if possible, anchor the boat down and/or add weight to the boat to help keep it in place in high wind.If you see a vessel that has broken free, the FWC encourages you to call its offices at 888-404-3922 or to report the vessel to local law enforcement.
Thrill Seekers Gamble on Boat Accidents and Put More Than Themselves at Risk
During heavy storms, some people intentionally put themselves at risk to take the opportunity to jump waves. Unfortunately, the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement and local law enforcement are tasked with the expensive and dangerous burden of rescuing them when they get in trouble.
"Thrill-seekers are advised to avoid the waters and high winds created from the storm," says Captain Keyser. "Please keep in mind that when people choose to act irresponsibly, they jeopardize others. They cause law enforcement officers, rescue workers and other emergency personnel to risk their lives unnecessarily."
Related Resource:
"FWC urges boat owners to secure their vessels before storm hits" (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission News Release, July 23, 2010)
]]>Catching sight of him in east Orange County, they chased him for nine miles through busy streets on a Saturday night in April. The cars were going nearly 100 miles an hour as they reached downtown Orlando.
That high-speed chase ended abruptly and fatally that night when Maisonet-Maldonado's vehicle slammed into a car carrying two young radiology technicians, Amanda Taylor, 28, and Fransesca Jeffry, 22.
The families of the two best friends are now suing the Orange County Sheriff's Office for wrongful death.
When Are Police Chases Considered Negligent?
Police officers have a great deal of latitude to perform their duties before they are subject to lawsuit. However, if the officer was negligent or reckless about the decision to pursue a high-speed chase, the officer and the municipality can be held responsible for the harm they cause.
]]> A high-speed chase is inherently risky -- to the police, to the general public and to the suspect. Florida law only allows police chases for suspects wanted for one of 12 crimes, one of which is murder. A police chase may be appropriate when the suspect poses an immediate risk to public safety.Chasing a suspect may not be the right choice if the suspect poses no urgent danger or when an alternative, less extreme means of capture is available. The safety risk also depends on other factors, such as the level of traffic and whether there are pedestrians around.
"They have to also do a risk versus benefit analysis of whether a high speed chase, through heavy streets, is appropriate," explained the families' attorney.
That analysis requires the officers to use their judgment, and courts generally won't second-guess the officer's judgment if it was reasonable.
In this case, the families argue, chasing Maisonet-Maldonado down Colonial Drive -- a street known to be thick with cars and pedestrians, especially on a Saturday night -- was not reasonable. A safer alternative was available; deputies had found and arrested Maisonet-Maldonado four times before.
Maisonet-Maldonado was also not an immediate threat to others, the families' lawyer contends. "He had already killed the person he was after and he was not a threat to the public."
Under Florida law, the families could receive up to $100,000 each if the fatal car accident is found to have been caused by police negligence. They know that money can't replace the lives lost, but they hope to have an impact on how the police weigh their decisions on high-speed chases in the future.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office refused to comment on the wrongful death claims but is performing an internal review of the officers' decision to chase.
Maisonet-Maldonado has been indicted for killing Taylor and Jeffry as well as charged for murdering his girlfriend. He is currently in the Orange County jail.
Related Resources:
"Victim's Family To Sue Sheriff's Office Over Chase Crash" (WFTV Orlando, July 20, 2010)
]]>The motorcycle accident occurred around 9:15 at the 5000 block of North Palafox Street at Carolyn Way.
According to the FHP, Shannon Johnson of Pensacola was driving her four-door Ford sedan along Carolyn Way. She turned right onto U.S. 29 just as motorcyclist Thomas Grimm of Pensacola changed from the middle lane of U.S. 29 to the outside lane. The front of Johnson's Ford struck the rear of the motorcycle.
Grimm, age 70, was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. He remains in the hospital today in fair condition. After the motorcycle accident, Johnson was ticketed for violating the right of way in a situation with a stop sign. Neither Johnson nor her passenger was injured.
]]> Around 9:30, a second accident with injuries occurred in the area, about a quarter of a mile away from the first wreck.In the second crash, the FHP reports, bicyclist Margarito Chavez was traveling south on Hansen Boulevard approaching Jacquelyn Way. He did not stop at the intersection's stop sign, and his bike collided with a four-door Toyota driven by Ronald Burch of Pensacola.
Chavez, 42, was taken to Sacred Heart after the car-bicycle accident. He was treated and released that day. He was ticketed by the FHP for failure to stop at the stop sign. Burch was not injured or ticketed in the bicycle-car accident.
Related Resources:
"2 people hospitalized after crashes in Escambia" (Pensacola News Journal, July 12, 2010)
"Pensacola man in fair condition after Tuesday motorcycle wreck" (Pensacola News Journal, July 14, 2010)
]]>