Latest news with #WJXT
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Father Was Holding 1-Year-Old Son When They Were Fatally Hit by a Car While Crossing the Street
A father and his 1-year-old son died after they were hit by a car while crossing the street in Jacksonville, Fla. on May 16 Mitchell Patch was an elementary school math teacher, whose students "will miss him tremendously," the principal said Patch's wife and family are "heartbroken," the wife's employer wrote on a GoFundMe pageA mom is grieving after her husband and 1-year-old son were killed while crossing the street in Jacksonville, Fla. Mitchell Patch, an elementary school math teacher, was walking across Baymeadows Road with his son, Everett, when they were hit by a Honda Civic traveling eastbound at 8:30 p.m. local time on Friday, May 16. Emergency responders pronounced the father and child dead at the scene, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said in a statement. The driver of the car was taken to a local hospital and is cooperating with officials. Officer Max Morel confirmed the names of the father and son and told PEOPLE the investigation is ongoing. 'Our hearts are with the family and friends of the man and his child,' the sheriff's office said in the statement. Duval County Public Schools, Patch's employer, and the City of Jacksonville Medical Examiner's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. That evening, Patch attended a party at a restaurant. He was holding his toddler in his arms when he crossed the road, Morel confirmed. 'We were in the middle of a rush when it happened. Next thing you know, we just started seeing flashing lights. It started getting bigger. So we kind of figured something more intense happened,' Dylan Williams, manager at Wicked Barley Brewing Company, told local outlet WJXT. 'We had a large group of family members mourning,' he added. 'It was very tragic.' The fatal accident has renewed safety concerns for residents in the area, the outlet reported. For Patch's wife, Mary, it's an 'unimaginable' tragedy, her employer wrote in a GoFundMe created to cover funeral expenses. As of Wednesday, May 23, the page has raised more than $120,000, close to its $125,000 goal. The organizer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. 'This devastating loss has left her and her family heartbroken,' the employer wrote of the death of Mitchell and their son, who is identified as Everett. Bayview Elementary, where Mitchell worked, sent a message to the school's families from Principal Kelly York the day after the accident. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'We will all certainly remember Mr. Patch for his incredible commitment to students and to the teaching profession. He was a dedicated educator and a well-loved and respected member of our Brave family,' York wrote in the message, which was shared with WJXT. 'Our sympathies go out to Mr. Patch's family, friends and our entire school community during this difficult time.' She added, 'I am deeply saddened, and I know the students, staff and family members who knew Mr. Patch will miss him tremendously." Read the original article on People
Miami Herald
07-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Florida couple on anniversary in TN dies in crash with stolen car, loved ones say
A Florida couple celebrating their wedding anniversary with a trip to Nashville was killed when a stolen car crashed into their taxi, according to Tennessee police and loved ones. Kathy Granfors, 68, died at the scene of the crash, while her husband, 64-year-old Kirk Granfors, died at a hospital, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said April 4. The couple was riding in the back of a taxi at around 2:40 a.m. April 4 when a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed into them at a high speed while the taxi had a green light, according to police. The driver of the stolen Jeep is believed to be 37-year-old George Chaney, who had felony convictions and had recently bonded out of jail, police said. Chaney tried to flee the crash scene on foot, but his injuries prevented him from getting far, police said. Chaney and the taxi driver were both hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to law enforcement. The Jeep was reported stolen in February, and it had been spray-painted a different color since it was taken, investigators said. Chaney was last arrested a month before the fatal crash when he was accused of leading law enforcement on a 100 mph chase in a stolen Dodge Charger with fake tags. He was charged with felony reckless endangerment with a vehicle, evading arrest, auto theft, reckless driving, altering a license tag and driving on a suspended license, police said. He was on parole at the time of the March 2 incident and paid $49,000 bond to get out of jail, according to law enforcement. The married couple from Jacksonville was in Nashville celebrating their wedding anniversary, Barbara Hurst Jones told WJXT. 'Kathy just had a spark about her. She was just so much fun,' Hurst Jones told the outlet. 'Kirk loved Kathy so much, and Kirk was a big sports fan.' Hurst Jones wrote on Facebook that she had known Kathy Granfors since they were 4 years old, and they were part of a trio of three best friends. 'I feel like I'm not living in reality, like I'm trapped in a world that isn't real,' Hurst Jones wrote on social media. Another family friend wrote that the couple was known as loving grandparents. 'These two were familiar faces at the Jax Beach baseball field supporting their grandsons and all their teammates,' Hayley Raiford wrote in a GoFundMe post. 'Kathy was the best cheerleader in the stands with her signature 'This one's yours!' to every batter after their first two strikes.' Investigators in Nashville said they're working to find out if there were other passengers in the Jeep, as Chaney was the only one at the scene when they arrived.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hallmark Star and ‘Ugly Betty' Alum Arrested in Florida
Actor Eric Mabius was arrested in Florida today, new reports reveal. Mabius, who is best known for his lengthy series of Hallmark credits and regular appearances in the early aughts sitcom Ugly Betty, was arrested after an altercation in a Nassau County bar during the early morning hours on Thursday, Feb. 20, according to local CW affiliate WJXT. 🎬 🎬 The Nassau County Sheriff's Office told reporters that the incident occurred at about 2 a.m. at The Goat on Lofton Square Court, an Irish-themed bar in Fernandina Beach, Fla. A police report reviewed by several outlets, including People and The Florida-Times Union, accused Mabius and a 40-year-old woman of creating a disturbance. Law enforcement said the two were intoxicated. Witnesses told the outlet that the dispute peaked after the bartender asked the Signed, Sealed, Delivered star and the unnamed woman to leave when the duo allegedly began spitting on several patrons. The 53-year-old actor has also been accused of pushing another woman to the ground and pulling out 'fistfuls' of her hair. Deputies told WJXT that they separated Mabius and the woman when they arrived on scene but that the actor became 'increasingly belligerent' when he was held outside the bar for questioning. Law enforcement officials also claimed that the actor was generally uncooperative with the investigation. Neither Mabius nor a rep for the actor has publicly addressed the arrest report. 'This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our community, regardless of celebrity status. Our deputies quickly dealt with an uncooperative individual, and we're thankful no one was seriously injured during this unfortunate incident,' Sheriff Bill Leeper said in a statement shared with WJXT. The victim, who remained anonymous in the report, ultimately declined to press charges. Mabius and the woman were then arrested for simple battery and resisting without violence. In addition to his many on-screen credits, Mabius is also a father of two. He shares sons Maxfield, 18, and Rylan, 16, with his wife Ivy Sherman. Next:
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Student shot by FDLE while playing ‘Senior Assassin' game
Florida officials warn of the dangers of the game after student shot JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida law enforcement leaders held a news conference on Thursday regarding the dangers of the 'Senior Assassin' game, a tradition among high schoolers. This comes after an 18-year-old Jacksonville high school football player was shot in the arm on Wednesday by an off-duty Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent while playing the popular game. Florida man to be executed for 1997 double murder witnessed by toddler According to WJXT, the shooting occurred around 6 a.m. in Nassau County when the FDLE agent spotted three people standing outside homes in a residential neighborhood. The game involves groups or pairs of students shooting each other with water guns until the last team remains. Gameplay usually occurs in the early or late hours of the night while it is still dark and often takes place on private property such as yards, driveways, or garages. Last year JSO issued a public service announcement warning parents of the potential hazards surrounding the game, which is prohibited on some school grounds. NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson returns to racing's grandest stage 'While intended to be really a simple and fun game, these tactics can obviously create a dangerous environment with potentially fatal consequences. And the reality is, we live in a different day than when we did when this game started some decades ago,' Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson said. 'Across the country, there have been tragedies and near tragedies that have occurred as a result and all in retrospect, preventable.' The student was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, he is expected to make a full recovery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
