Thursday, February 19, 2026

LETTSWORTH, La. — Highway 1 Crash Claims Chris James in Pointe Coupee Parish

 A deadly single-vehicle crash along Highway 1 is under investigation after 67-year-old Chris James of Mansura was killed early Wednesday morning in Lettsworth. Authorities say the incident happened before dawn, leaving more questions than answers.


Deputies with the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash around 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 18. According to officials, the accident involved just one vehicle. No other drivers or passengers were reported at the scene.



During the collision, investigators said the driver was ejected from the vehicle. That driver was later identified as Chris James. He was pronounced dead at the scene.


The Pointe Coupee Parish Coroner’s Office was also called to the crash site. Officials confirmed that an autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause and manner of death. Those findings may provide more clarity about what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.


At this time, law enforcement has not released information about what may have caused the vehicle to crash. Details such as possible mechanical issues, road conditions, or other contributing factors have not been disclosed.


Deputies say the investigation remains active. They are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the early morning collision as they work to determine exactly how the crash occurred.


For residents of Pointe Coupee Parish, the stretch of Highway 1 where the crash happened now carries a heavier weight. A single vehicle, a dark highway, and a life lost have left the community waiting for answers while authorities complete their investigation.

Syracuse Mourns Patrick Archibald After Tragic House Fire

 Syracuse is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Patrick Archibald, a beloved local barber whose life was cut short in a tragic house fire. His sudden passing has shaken family, friends, loyal clients, and neighbors who knew him as far more than a man with clippers in his hand. It has left a quiet ache across the community he proudly called home.


Patrick was a familiar and cherished face at CWE Barber and Beauty Salon. Behind the barber’s chair, he built more than clean fades and sharp lineups. He built trust. He built friendships. He built a space where people felt comfortable enough to talk about life. Clients walked in for a haircut and often stayed for the conversation. Patrick listened. He laughed. He offered steady advice when it was needed.





People say his chair was never just about business. It was about connection. He greeted everyone with warmth and a calm presence that made even the worst day feel lighter. For many, those appointments became part therapy session, part reunion, part neighborhood gathering. That was the kind of energy he carried.


Patrick was a proud graduate of Henninger High School. His ties to Syracuse ran deep. The friendships he formed in his younger years stayed with him. He believed in loyalty. He believed in hard work. He believed in showing up for people. Those values shaped the way he lived and the way he treated others.


Friends remember his humor. They remember his steady smile. They remember how he made people feel seen. He had a simple way of showing kindness, whether through encouragement, a thoughtful word, or a small act that meant more than he probably realized. He did not need a spotlight to make an impact.


The tragic house fire that claimed his life has left an emptiness that cannot be measured. Loved ones are now left holding memories, replaying moments, and leaning on one another for strength. In times like this, a community feels smaller. The loss feels personal.


As Syracuse mourns, it also celebrates the life Patrick Archibald lived. His legacy lives in the countless conversations, the laughter shared across the barber chair, and the confidence he helped instill in others. His story is one of connection, community, and quiet strength — a life that mattered deeply.

Augusta Shooting Claims Cam’ron Hallingquest at 19

 The city of Augusta is grieving after 19-year-old Cam’ron Tyreece Ja’vion Hallingquest was shot Wednesday evening, a young life cut short in a moment that has shaken two communities. What should have been another ordinary night turned into a tragedy that now leaves family and friends holding on to memories instead of plans for the future.


Deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office say they were called around 7:30 p.m. to the 3400 block of Winesap Way following reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found Cam’ron suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite efforts to save him, he later died from his injuries.




Authorities confirmed that Cam’ron was a resident of Williston. Word of his death moved quickly through both Williston and Augusta. The news landed hard. People who had just spoken to him days earlier suddenly found themselves in disbelief.


Investigators are still working to piece together what happened on Winesap Way that evening. Officials have not yet released details about a suspect or what may have led to the shooting. The unanswered questions hang heavy, adding to the pain already felt by those who loved him.


Cam’ron was only 19. Those close to him say he was stepping into adulthood with big hopes and fresh ambition. Friends describe him as full of energy, someone who could light up a room with his presence. He was at that age where life feels wide open, where dreams still feel close enough to grab.


His family now faces the kind of grief no parent or loved one ever prepares for. They are mourning a son and relative whose time ended far too soon. Friends are grieving a bond that can never be replaced. Neighbors and community members are remembering a young man whose life, though short, left a mark.


Across Augusta, messages of sympathy are pouring in. Prayer circles, quiet gatherings, and candlelight vigils are being planned as people search for comfort. In moments like this, the community leans on each other, trying to find strength in shared sorrow.


Cam’ron’s name now echoes not because of how he died, but because of how he lived. His smile, his voice, and the memories he created remain with those who knew him best. His death is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly everything can change.

Macon Crash Leaves Grandma and Toddler Dead on I‑75 South

 MACON, Georgia — On a Wednesday afternoon that began like any other for families on the road, tragedy struck on Interstate 75 South near Sardis Church Road. Around 4:30 p.m., traffic in the left lane came to a sudden, violent stop when a commercial Ford F‑350 plowed into the back of a Toyota Corolla. That impact started a chain reaction that sent the Corolla into a Ford F‑150 and then into a Chevrolet van. This wasn’t just another slow afternoon traffic pile‑up — it cost two lives and left three others hurt and in the hospital.


The Toyota’s driver, 61‑year‑old Joann White of Warner Robins, was killed instantly. In the back seat, her grandson Zion Thomas also died. He was just 1 year old and only weeks away from turning 2. Witnesses and first responders described a somber scene as officers cordoned off the area and the Georgia State Patrol began reconstructing what went wrong.






Police say White and Zion were in the Corolla when the Ford F‑350 hit from behind. The Corolla shot forward into the F‑150, and then that pickup struck a van. All of this happened on the left lane, snarling traffic for miles. Emergency crews worked well into the evening before clearing the wreckage, reopening roads near 10:30 p.m.


Three other people were hurt in the crash: a passenger in the Corolla, the driver of the F‑150, and a passenger from the Ford F‑350. All were taken to Atrium Health Navicent for treatment. Their injuries ranged from serious to moderate, and as of the last reports, none were believed to be life‑threatening.


Friends and neighbours of White and little Zion gathered at the scene after dark, placing flowers and soft toys along the highway guardrail. Many shared memories of White as a devoted grandma who doted on her grandson. For Zion, every day was a new adventure — a life barely begun.


Investigators from the Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team are still piecing together why the initial impact happened. Nothing so far suggests impairment, but troopers continue to interview witnesses and review video from traffic cameras.


Traffic on I‑75 South slowly returned to normal by nightfall, but the memory of what happened left a quiet urgency among drivers: a reminder of how quickly life can change on the highway.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

HIGHWAY 2 NEAR GOLD BAR — Doctors James Khezri and Elham Javadi Die in Head‑On Crash, Leaving Two Sons Behind

 Woodinville, Washington — A quiet Thursday afternoon turned terrible on U.S. Highway 2 when Dr. James Khezri and his wife, Dr. Elham Javadi, died in a head‑on collision that also claimed the life of another driver. The couple, both respected medical professionals and devoted parents, were pronounced dead at the scene just after 5:15 p.m. when their truck was struck by a westbound vehicle that crossed the center line near milepost 31, roughly two miles northeast of Gold Bar.


Colin Brown, 30, of Mill Creek, was driving the Ford that crossed into oncoming traffic. His vehicle hit the Khezris’ pickup truck head‑on, then the truck was struck again by a third vehicle. Emergency crews arriving within minutes found all three adults unresponsive and later confirmed their deaths. Two people in the third car were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Investigators say there’s no indication that alcohol or drugs were involved, and the crash remains under review.






Friends and colleagues describe Dr. Khezri as a caring anesthesiologist and aesthetic physician whose easy laugh and generosity made him a pillar of his community. His wife, Dr. Javadi, a skilled dental surgeon, was admired for her commitment to her patients and her calm, reassuring presence. Neighbors say the couple lived simply but generously, always ready to help others.


The Khezris’ two young sons now face life without both parents. A fundraiser started by a friend and colleague has drawn support from across the region. Donations will help cover funeral costs and immediate family needs as the boys begin an unimaginable new chapter.


The local medical community has been shaken. In waiting rooms and clinic halls, staff have shared memories of the couple’s warmth, professionalism, and steady dedication. “They weren’t just doctors to us,” one colleague said. “They were friends and trusted voices who made every person feel seen.”


On slow roads like Highway 2, residents have long worried about speeding and dangerous conditions. This latest tragedy, coming in what should have been a routine drive home, has renewed calls from some in the area for safety improvements and more caution from drivers.


For now, the focus remains on two young lives upended and a community trying to make sense of sudden loss. The boys are surrounded by family and friends, mourning parents who touched many lives with their work and their compassion.

Pawtucket Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooting Kills Mother and Son, Injures Others

 Rhode Island’s quiet city of Pawtucket turned into a scene of heartbreak on a Monday afternoon when gunfire broke out during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Witnesses heard the first shots just after 2:30 p.m. east coast time. What was meant to be a community event filled with cheers turned into chaos and grief in seconds.


Police quickly confirmed that 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan fired on his own family in what authorities are calling a targeted attack. His ex‑wife, Rhonda Dorgan, 52, was killed at the rink. Their adult son, Aidan Dorgan, 23, was rushed to a hospital where he later died from his wounds. Both were sitting together in the stands at the game, watching another son play. Three others were critically injured: Rhonda’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, who is an assistant principal at a local high school.





Spectators and players were thrown into panic as shots echoed. Some players fled off the ice while families scrambled for cover. Amid the confusion a few bystanders acted, rushing toward the shooter and wresting the weapon away from him long enough for others to help restrain him. Authorities said Dorgan then drew a second firearm and turned it on himself. He was found dead at the scene from an apparent self‑inflicted wound. Police and emergency crews arrived within minutes, treating the wounded and securing the arena.


The shooting has shaken the Pawtucket community and beyond. Coaches hugged players still in their uniforms, and parents held children tight outside the rink as police tape cordoned off the area. Officials from schools and local government expressed deep sorrow, calling the violence “senseless” and urging community support for all affected families. Counseling services were made available for students and families trying to process the shock.


Details from court filings show that Rhonda had filed for divorce from Robert Dorgan years earlier. Police described the attack as a family dispute, though they cautioned that the exact motive remains under investigation. Authorities found two handguns at the scene, a Glock and a SIG Sauer, both believed to be legally obtained. Dorgan had attended hockey games in the past without incident, making the sudden act of violence all the more shocking to those who knew the family.


Since the tragedy, friends and neighbors have shared memories of Rhonda as a caring presence and of Aidan as a young man with a bright future. The hockey community has rallied around the injured and grieving, holding impromptu vigils and moments of silence at rinks across the region. Questions about security at youth sporting events and the warning signs that might prevent similar tragedies are now part of the wider conversation in Rhode Island and beyond.


Amid the sorrow, families of both victims and survivors hope for healing. They are focused on supporting the injured and remembering Rhonda and Aidan for the lives they lived, rather than how they died. The community’s response, marked by compassion and courage in the face of violence, now joins their story.

Harris County Deputy Ricky Zaragosa Dies in Early Morning Motorcycle Crash

 Early Wednesday, north Harris County was shaken by fatal news when 33‑year‑old Deputy Ricky Zaragosa, a three‑year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, was killed in a motorcycle crash on Aldine Westfield Road near Ciderwood Drive. He was off duty and riding his personal motorcycle shortly after 2:30 a.m. when the collision happened. Emergency crews found him unresponsive at the scene and he was later pronounced dead. Investigators say the accident also involved another vehicle that remained at the scene and showed no visible signs of impairment, but how the collision unfolded is still under review.


Friends and colleagues remember Zaragosa as a dedicated officer who wore his badge with quiet pride. He lived in the community he served and had spent several years responding to calls, assisting residents, and building trust in neighborhoods across the county. Co‑workers described him as steady under pressure and someone who brought calm to tense situations. His loss has hit the department hard, leaving peers and supervisors grappling with the sudden end of a life committed to public safety.





Officials with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office have been working the investigation since the crash. They have not publicly confirmed any charges against the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision. In a separate arrest near the wreck, a deputy from another agency was charged with driving while intoxicated, though authorities have said that deputy was not directly involved in the crash that took Zaragosa’s life.


In the hours after the crash, messages of condolences spread across law enforcement circles and social media. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed deep sorrow over the death of Zaragosa and asked the public to keep his family and co‑workers in their thoughts. Funeral arrangements have not been immediately released, but people close to the deputy have begun sharing stories of his kindness, humor, and professional dedication.


Residents in the Spring area and beyond have reacted with shock and sadness. Many are urging drivers to slow down and exercise caution, especially late at night when road conditions can be unpredictable. Traffic safety advocates say the loss of any life on the road is a stark reminder of how quickly a routine ride or drive can turn tragic.


Zaragosa’s family has requested privacy as they navigate this difficult time. Fellow deputies have gathered at the sheriff’s office and held informal vigils to honor his memory, reflecting on the impact he had both as an officer and as a friend. His presence, they say, will be missed deeply.


Even as the investigation continues, the focus for many remains on remembering who Deputy Ricky Zaragosa was: a public servant with a quiet strength, a loyal comrade, and a devoted member of his community. His unexpected passing has left a void that will be felt by many for a long time.

LETTSWORTH, La. — Highway 1 Crash Claims Chris James in Pointe Coupee Parish

 A deadly single-vehicle crash along Highway 1 is under investigation after 67-year-old Chris James of Mansura was killed early Wednesday mo...