Florida firefighter's widow wins $9 million after husband killed

Florida firefighter's widow wins $9 million verdict in pizza delivery death

Domino's Pizza plans to appeal
Florida Today
By Rick Neale
August 07, 2019

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - In January 2011, retired Brevard County Fire Rescue District Chief Richard Wiederhold swerved to avoid a collision when a Domino's Pizza delivery driver turned in front of him on State Road 50 in Christmas.

Wiederhold's Toyota Tacoma overturned on the highway — rendering him a quadriplegic with a fractured spine, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.

He died from medical complications 15 months later. After a lengthy legal battle, an Orange County jury awarded his widow, Yvonne, a $9 million verdict in mid-June.

The court case continues. Last week, Circuit Judge Renee Roche denied a request for a new trial by attorneys representing Domino's Pizza. The company is preparing to appeal the $9 million judgment, said Yvonne Widerhold's attorney, Mark Avera, a partner with the Gainesville law firm Avera and Smith.

"He was dependent upon a ventilator to breathe. Being rendered a quadriplegic when you're in your retirement and in your twilight years, enjoying life. ... I have represented clients such as Rich over the years — and to describe it as catastrophic is really inadequate," Avera said.

"To go from being able to do anything he wanted to do — flying planes, running marathons as a younger gentleman, hike, camp, enjoy his life with his fiancée, Yvonne — and to go to being bed-bound and be totally dependent on others," he said.

Wiederhold served with Brevard County Fire Rescue from 1988 to 2005, retiring as a district chief overseeing nine fire stations across the southern part of the county. He was one of six finalists in the city of Cocoa's 2007 fire chief job search.
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Flying tire killed 19 year old female Marine

Young Marine killed by truck’s flying tire on Indiana interstate

New York Post
Joshua Rhett Miller
January 18, 2019

A young Marine was killed in Indiana when a wheel flew off another vehicle before crossing a concrete median and crashing into her pickup truck, state police said. 


Lance Cpl. Olivia Kustes, 18, of Rineyville, Kentucky, died Wednesday after a wheel from a pickup truck fell off the vehicle and barreled into her truck after crossing a median on I-65 near the Eastern Boulevard exit in southern Indiana, WDRB reports. 

A local Marine recruiting station told WDRB that Kustes had recently returned home on a recruiters’ assistance program and was scheduled to return to North Carolina next week.
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Days before wedding, Camp Pendleton Marine killed in car crash

Sergeant Galvan dies three days before wedding
23 ABC News Bakersfield
Emma Lockhart
Jul 12, 2018

His death happened just three days before his wedding. He leaves behind his fianceé and unborn child.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - It was a day of honor at Hillcrest Memorial Park, where Sergeant George Daniel Galvan was laid to rest Thursday morning.

Friends, family and community members celebrated the life of the 23-year-old Marine from Bakersfield. Galvan died from a car crash on June 30th, 2018 near Camp Pendleton where he was stationed.
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Camp Pendleton Marine killed in car crash

Marine from Riverside who served multiple deployments killed in car crash
Orange County Register
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
February 3, 2018

CAMP PENDLETON A 27-year-old Marine from Riverside was killed early Friday in a single car crash near the north end of Camp Pendleton, military officials said Saturday, Feb. 3.

The Marine has been identified as Sgt.John D. Wise III. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, said Capt. Paul Gainey.

Wise was found dead at 12:38 a.m. on southbound Cristianitos Road one mile outside Camp Pendleton’s Cristianitos Gate, according to reports from the California Highway Patrol and Camp Pendleton Fire Department.

It appeared he could have come off the off-ramp at Cristianitos headed toward Camp Pendleton, said CHP Public Safety Dispatcher Morrison.
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Marine's call-to-action about honoring fallen veteran goes viral

Houston area Marine's call-to-action about honoring fallen veteran goes viral

By Amanda Cochran - Social Media Producer

Posted: 4:09 PM, August 11, 2017
HOUSTON - A Marine has issued a touching call-to-action to service members and the public in the Houston area to honor a fallen veteran at his funeral services next week.

Lance Cpl. Ruben Vega Jr. died in California in a car accident last Friday at the age of 22, but his funeral will be held in Houston on Tuesday.

Chris Blanco posted a video about Vega’s death on his Facebook page, urging more service members to attend after he learned that only about 20 people would be able to attend his services.
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After 26 Years in Army Veteran Killed 9 Days After Retiring

Decorated war veteran with Austin ties killed in crash
American-Statesman
By James Barragan Staff
January 15, 2016

Martinez, 49, had retired from the Army on Dec. 31 and was looking forward to spending more time with friends and family, said his brother Octavio Martinez.

Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Martinez, who was killed in a car crash in Ohio on

Jan. 9. Martinez, who grew up in Austin and was profiled by the American

Statesman, had just retired from the U.S. Army after a 26-year career.

A decorated war veteran who grew up in Austin and had just retired from the U.S. Army after a 26-year career was killed last weekend in a car crash in Ohio.

Carlos Martinez, who was profiled by the American-Statesman in 2006 for his work defusing explosives for the Army, was returning to his Pennsylvania home after a trip to Indiana on Jan. 9 when a Dodge Avenger driving in the opposite direction hit several other cars before going through a grass median and a guardrail and hitting the Toyota Prius that Martinez and his wife were in.

Martinez’s wife, Laura, who was driving the Prius, suffered severe injuries but survived the crash.
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Camp Pendleton Marine Family’s Tragic Crash

‘Please God, Don’t Let It Be Them’: Camp Pendleton Marine Family’s Tragic Crash
NBC San Diego
By Bridget Naso and Samantha Tatro
January 3, 2016

It wasn’t long ago that Staff Sergeant Evaan Ball and his wife Ashley attended the Marine Corps Ball in San Diego, but today it feels like a world away as Ashley fights for her life in a New Mexico hospital after a deadly crash that killed her brother.

“I thought I’d be the one in the hospital one day, not her,” SSgt. Ball told NBC 7 San Diego in a phone interview this week.

Ashley’s brother, Steven Marrow, was helping the couple move from Camp Pendleton to SSgt. Ball’s new post in Louisiana on Dec. 23. Ball drove one car, with the couple’s two children in the back. Marrow drove the second car with Ashley sitting in the passenger seat.

As the group drove down State Route 550 in Farmington, New Mexico, Marrow lost control of the car while passing a truck and crossed over the divide, crashing into an oncoming tractor-trailer, Ball told NBC7. Ball was driving ahead of his wife and her brother and had successfully passed the truck.
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Marine on leave for sister's wedding killed in car crash

Susquehanna crash victim was Marine, father of two 
The Times Tribune
BRENDAN GIBBONS, STAFF WRITER
Published: January 3, 2015

PHOTO COURTESY KARIN DORMAN Susquehanna County native Andrew Stevens with his sons Logan, top, and Hunter, and wife, Katy. Andrew Stevens was killed Friday in a crash in Springville Township.

A 27-year-old Susquehanna County native killed Friday when a water tanker truck smashed into his SUV was an active-duty Marine and father of two boys, a family member said.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Stevens was home for his sister’s wedding, his mother-in-law Karin Dorman said. Sgt. Stevens and his wife, Katy, 26, and their sons, 2-year-old Logan and 5-year-old Hunter, were staying at Mrs. Dorman’s.

After driving away from his parents’ home in Springville Twp. around 4:20 p.m., Sgt. Stevens stopped his 2013 Dodge Durango at Routes 3004 and 29, the main intersection in Springville, state police said.

Behind him, Arlan Elmer Elvis Taft’s truck barrelled downhill. Unable to stop, the Tioga man’s tanker crashed into Sgt. Steven’s Durango. A four-vehicle pile-up ensued as the SUV was crushed between Mr. Taft’s truck and a Kenworth tractor-trailer, which in turn hit another Kenworth rig.

A fire started after the crash, and flames engulfed Sgt. Stevens’ SUV, Mrs. Dorman said. Mr. Stevens died at the scene, state police said. The other three drivers were not injured.

The fire left the Durango’s vehicle identification number illegible, along with any other clue to identify Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Dorman said.

“The vehicle was unrecognizable,” she said. “It totally just went in flames.”

Troopers had to identify Sgt. Stevens by his father’s hunting rifle, she said. He had just picked it up before the crash. A deer with an injured leg frequented Mrs. Dorman’s property, and Sgt. Stevens wanted to put it out of its misery, then call a game officer, she said.
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Car accident claimed life of Fort Bragg Soldier

Soldier from Livingston County Dies Following Crash at Fort Bragg
Time Warner Cable News
By: Rose Eiklor
Updated 11/25/2014

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- A soldier from Livingston County died after a one-vehicle crash Sunday on-base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Spc. Nethaniel Wolfson, 22, was killed, according to the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, which issued a statement Tuesday morning.

Wolfson's father, three brothers and grandfather said Tuesday night they are all trying to focus on the good memories they had with their bubbly, energetic and hard-working loved one.
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Fort Bragg Staff Sgt. Wadiyah Samirah Northern Killed in Crash

Woman killed in Fayetteville crash Sunday was Fort Bragg soldier
FayObserver.com
By Drew Brooks Military editor
September 23, 2014

A woman killed in a Fayetteville wreck on Sunday was a Fort Bragg soldier, officials said.

Staff Sgt. Wadiyah Samirah Northern, 32, of Norfolk, Virginia, died after crashing at Owen Drive and Gillespie Street on Sunday morning.

According to police, Northern's Ford Taurus and a Dodge Magnum collided at the intersection at about 9:30 a.m. The Dodge was traveling at a high rate of speed, police said.

Two people were injured, including the driver of the Dodge and a 10-year-old passenger in Northern's car. Fayetteville police continue to investigate the crash, according to Fort Bragg.
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Wisconsin Iraq Veteran Hero Firefighter Killed in Car Crash

Eagle firefighter, veteran killed in crash
WISN.Com
By Mike Anderson
July 24, 2014

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. —Two communities are mourning an Iraq veteran and an Eagle Fire Department hero.

The Eagle Fire Department is draped with black and purple bunting, and its flags are lowered to half staff. It's a symbol of mourning for the family of Lt. Jed Ellenson who died Tuesday night.

"Jed was hired in 2009. It was shortly after he got out of the U. S. Marine Corps. He served two tours in Iraq, and he really found his niche and his calling once he joined our organization," Eagle Fire Department Chief Justin Heim said.

Ellenson was on the job about a year when the town was hit by a 125-130 mph tornado. His Iraq training was a lifesaver in the community.

"He was out there helping folks and doing what needed to be done and even since then," Heim said.

Ellenson's pickup truck slammed into a tree in his hometown of Mukwonago.
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Marine Killed in Horrific Crash

Marine killed in crash where car split in two
Dayton Daily News
July 7, 2014

PERRY TOWNSHIP — Troopers said a fatal crash that caused a car to split in two and killed a marine may have been caused by a drunk driver.

Eryk Vencill, 21, died after crashing on Old Dayton Road near Diamond Mill Road in Perry Township just after 4 a.m. on July 5, according to troopers.

His passenger, Cody Jones, 22, was transported to Miami Valley Hospital. He was treated and released according to hospital officials.
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Texas fatal crowd crash car stolen from Fort Hood soldier

Official: Fort Hood soldier reports car used in SXSW fatal crash stolen
My San Antonio
BY KOLTEN PARKER
MARCH 13, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — A Fort Hood soldier who believes his gray Honda Civic was used in a crash in Austin that killed two people and injured 23 reported it stolen to the Killeen Police Department Thursday morning.

Police identified the suspect accused of killing two people and injuring 23 Wednesday night as Rashad Charjuan Owens, 21, of Killeen. He was convicted of a driver under the influence of marijuana in November 2011 in Fairbanks, Alaska, after he struck a light pole. He was also charged with leaving the scene of the same incident, but prosecutors dismissed that charge, records show.
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Fort Hood Soldier's death leaves Florida Mom searching for answers

EXCLUSIVE: Soldier's family searches for answers after death
Bay News 9
By Paul Mueller, Reporter
January 25, 2014

MYAKKA CITY
The mother of a soldier is desperately searching for answers in the death of her son.

Specialist Glenn Moore, III, was based in Fort Hood when he died in a car crash on Wednesday morning.

The next day his parents received the terrible news from the Army, but it’s what they haven’t heard that has them wanting more.

"He was likable," said Danielle Moore, Glenn’s mother when asked how she remembers her son. “He was funny. Everyone that met him instantly became friends with him."

Moore went into the Army three years ago as an intelligence imagery analyst. He was deployed to Afghanistan for a year and was a decorated soldier.

Now, the family is not only in mourning but also left asking questions.

They want to know why their son would lead officers on a deadly high-speed chase through two counties.

"And I'm not saying my son wasn't at fault,” said Danielle. “That's not what I'm saying. I just want to know what happened, and I just think it's taking too long. I know investigations take long but every little bit that they find out along the way, we have a right to know."
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Three Airmen killed in car crash

Police identify 3 Holloman airmen killed in car crash
Air Force Times
Jeff Schogol
January 23, 2014

Police identified three airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., who were killed Tuesday morning in a car crash.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Nicholas Loehr, 26; Airman 1st Class Deshon Maurice Wartley, 21; and Airman 1st Class Lamont Keith Cullars, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the Alamogordo Police Department said Wednesday.

The three airmen were in a 2006 Honda Civic that was going very fast when the car went off Airport Road at a curve and turned over several times, a police news release says. Police were dispatched to the scene at 7:30 a.m. Two of the airmen, who were wearing seatbelts, were found inside the car. A third airman was thrown from the car.
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Family remembers Iraq War Veteran killed in car crash

Family remembers Iraq War Veteran killed in Floyd Co. crash
WKYT News
By: Hillary Thornton
September 30, 2013

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - Battling a war of emotions, a Floyd County family mourns the loss of their loved one. Iraq War Veteran, 29-year-old Brenan McKinney, died this weekend following a crash. McKinney's mother says her son will now live on through his daughter.

A proud army mom, Pamela Couch, lights up when she looks at pictures of her son.

"When he told me he wanted to go into the Army, I tried every way in the world to talk him out of it but he just kept saying, 'I could get killed on the road or how drugs are here I could get shot in a drive by.' When he talked me into letting him go...I worried the whole time he was gone," says Couch.

Couch worried because she knew the dangers he would face....the images and scars he would return with.
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Two Florida National Guardsmen dead after being hit by car

2 from National Guard killed in I-10 incident
Florida Times Union
By Dan Scanlan
Posted: September 9, 2013

A National Guard captain from St. Augustine and a tech sergeant from Starke were killed Sunday night when they stopped to help a motorist on Interstate 10 in Jefferson County and were hit by another car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.


Capt. Tecarie M. Czarnecki, whose age was unavailable, and Tech Sgt. David A. Stone, 30, were in a military convoy headed west on the interstate just after 7 p.m., according to the Highway Patrol.

They all pulled over when one of the convoy’s vehicles, headed from Camp Blanding to Quincy, had a tire blow out, said Lt. Col. James Evans, a National Guard spokesman.
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War correspondent Michael Hastings had PTSD

This would have been a better title "War correspondent Michael Hastings had PTSD" instead of ending it with "used drugs" because while that may get more attention it is a disservice to veterans with PTSD using medical marijuana topped off with the fact it was not part of the accident that claimed his life. Shame on CNN!

Journalist Michael Hastings had PTSD, used drugs
CNN
By Matt Smith
August 20, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Michael Hastings likely died instantly, autopsy report states
Drugs residues in his system don't appear to have played a role in the crash
Hastings was known for a Rolling Stone piece that got a top general sacked
He had been using medical marijuana to treat PTSD, the report states

(CNN) -- War correspondent Michael Hastings may have been using marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder before his death, but drug use doesn't appear to have been a factor in his fatal car accident, according to his autopsy report.

Hastings, 33, likely died within seconds when his Mercedes-Benz slammed into a tree in Los Angeles on June 18, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office found. He was best known for a 2010 Rolling Stone profile of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, then the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, that led to McChrystal being sacked.
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Marine, Vietnam Vet killed when police chase suspect runs light

Marine, Vietnam vet dies as driver fleeing police crushes vehicle
WTVR News
April 1, 2013
by Alix Bryan and Jon Burkett

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR)- Marine and Vietnam veteran George Van Orden lost his life in a tragic car accident on Midlothian Turnpike Friday night.

His oldest son tells CBS 6 that his dad lived the corps instilled values until the very end, even though he was decades removed from military service.

George Van Orden, age 73, pulled two tours in Vietnam. He was considered an expert marksman while serving in the corps-spending his retirement years in Chesterfield County “Probably one of the most patriotic people you’d ever meet in your entire life,” his son said.

Van Orden– a husband, a father, a grandfather– had just finished dinner with his wife and daughter Friday night. His daughter headed off to the movies and he and his wife got in the car to return home.

Police said Van Orden had a green light when he pulled onto Midlothian Turnpike; only to be broad sided by a driver fleeing from police.
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Patriot Guard escorted the body of a Marine

Marine's Body Escorted to Carrollton
By Elvira Sakmari
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2013

The Patriot Guard escorted the body of a Marine killed in a car accident in California earlier this month to a funeral home in Carrollton Tuesday afternoon.

Decorated Marine Cpl Gerrick James Watkins, 23, and his wife Shardeh, along with their two Labradors died in a car accident March 2 in Oceanside, Cali.
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