Latest news with #YouthVillages
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mom Who ‘Touched the Lives of Thousands' and Her 2 Sons Die in Fiery Chain-Reaction Crash
A mom and her two sons have died following a chain-reaction car crash on Interstate 40 and North Hollywood in Tennessee on May 31 Police tell PEOPLE the trio died at the scene of the five-car crash The victims have been identified by Youth Villages as Tonya Cannady, their employee, and her two sons, Barry and ScottA mom and her two sons have died after a fiery crash on a Tennessee highway. Five vehicles were involved in the fatal crash on Interstate 40 West and North Hollywood around 3:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 31, the Memphis Police Department said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Officials said the first vehicle was traveling westbound on I-40 when it struck the rear of the second vehicle, causing a chain reaction crash, according to CBS affiliate WREG-TV. Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, and a fourth was transported to St. Francis Bartlett in non-critical condition, police said. Youth Villages, a nonprofit organization, has confirmed that its employee Tonya Cannady and her two sons, Barry and Scott, were killed in the crash, according to WREG-TV and FOX affiliate WHBQ-TV. 'Ms. Cannady was a wonderful part of our organization, celebrating 22 years with Youth Villages this year,' the nonprofit's statement read. 'She touched the lives of thousands over that time, including children and staff, most recently serving as our nutrition services manager for our West Tennessee residential locations.' The organization continued, 'Our hearts go out to her family during this time. She will be missed by so many of us.' Youth Villages did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. All lanes of traffic on I-40 and North Hollywood were blocked for several hours on Saturday following the crash, according to a post shared on X by the Memphis Police Department. An Army reservist who witnessed the incident told WREG-TV he pulled over to help a woman break a window of a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was involved in the crash. 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. He said he was able to "pull the driver out and unbuckle the passenger' as the cars 'went up in flames.' Another bystander handed him a fire extinguisher, and he 'tried to use that to put the fire out,' but to no avail. Franchesca Roland, another witness, told WHBQ-TV that she and others raced to help Cannady after the crash. 'The passenger we did get out, we started performing CPR on her,' she explained. 'I just want to offer my condolences to the family,' the Army reservist told WREG-TV. 'I feel really bad for the family and all the loss they're going through in such a short amount of time.' An investigation into the crash is ongoing, police tell PEOPLE. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Teen at Youth Villages not abused before death, family and attorney say
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A year and a half after the death of a teen in Youth Villages' care, both her family and attorney Ben Crump are now saying the teen was not abused or beaten before her death. Youth Villages, Alegend Jones' family and Crump on Monday issued a joint statement regarding Jones' passing, where they confirmed she died of a medical emergency. 'All parties agreed that Ms. Jones' death from a medical emergency was a devastating tragedy. The staff involved followed all necessary therapeutic protocols and procedures. Youth Villages and its staff continue to express tremendous compassion for Ms. Jones and her family,' the statement read. 'Youth Villages has a strong and well-earned reputation of providing the highest quality behavioral health services for young people and their families. Any allegations of abuse or mistreatment are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Ms. Jones was never alone with male counselors. She was in no way abused or beaten. This was verified by the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Report.' An agreement was reached to fully resolve any disputes between the parties, they said. Ben Crump alleges teens at Youth Villages abused, calls for action In November of 2023, 17-year-old Alegend Jones died in the custody of Youth Villages, where she was supposed to be getting help. Jones' family alleged that on November 16, when she was taken to the health department for treatment, she got into an altercation with two male counselors from Youth Villages who ordered her to remove her clothes. Her family said that at some point, she was body slammed. They also said an independent autopsy they had done shows she died from a brain bleed. Medical records revealed for teen who died at Youth Villages Youth Villages said in a statement that Jones was brought to the health department by two female staff members and was never alone with male staff or asked to take off her clothes in front of male staff. They also said they are working with all relevant public safety and health authorities in response to the incident, fully cooperating with the official investigations and awaiting official medical reports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
CrimeStoppers offers $25K for info on shooting at anti-gun violence meeting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — CrimeStoppers is now offering up to $25,000 to anyone with information that could help identify suspects involved in a mass shooting that left one person dead and five others injured. The mass shooting took place outside a gun violence prevention meeting held by a non-profit organization, the Memphis Allies program of Youth Villages, on April 9. 1 dead, 5 men injured in Southeast Memphis shooting In 2022, Youth Villages, along with community partners, launched the Memphis Allies initiative in response to the city's escalating gun violence. Police say one man was taken to the hospital in critical condition and four others were taken in non-critical condition. One man was found dead on the scene. He was identified as Matthew Williams, 22. Nonprofit CEO calls on parents to help reduce youth violence After receiving money from more donors, CrimeStoppers says they will now provide up to $25,000 to anyone with information that will help identify one or more suspects in the deadly shooting. That amount will be paid to the person who provides a successful tip leading to a warrant and/or an arrest in the case. 'I am sure someone knows something that could lead to an arrest in this murder,' said David Wayne Brown, executive director of CrimeStoppers. 'It could be someone who saw something that could help investigators, or someone who has learned something since the shooting.' If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. All calls and text messages are strictly anonymous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
