Crime
Foley High School on lockdown after a fight broke out, No shots fired
UPDATE (11:50 a.m.): Foley High School will begin dismissing students at noon following the campus lockdown earlier today.
According to a press release from Baldwin County Public Schools, car drivers will be dismissed first, followed by students whose parents have come to pick them up. Students who wish to remain on campus will be supervised in the cafeteria and provided with study materials.
Bus riders will board their regular buses at the conclusion of the school day and depart for their home destinations.
Parents who need to pick up their children should drive down Cedar Street to the back of the school. They should then follow security personnel around the south side of the cafeteria to pick up their child and depart out the east front of the school towards Highway 59.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Baldwin County, AL – A spokesperson for Baldwin County Public Schools has confirmed that all students are safe following a lockdown at Foley High School on Thursday morning.
The school was placed on lockdown after a report of a disturbance. The Foley Police Department and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and secured the campus.
The lockdown has been lifted, and all students are safe.
The Foley Police Department has issued a statement addressing the circulation of false information on social media regarding the incident at Foley High School.
The department has confirmed that many of the images being shared online are old photos that do not depict the events of today. Some of these photos were not even taken on the Foley High School campus.
The Foley Police Department and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office are currently on the scene and have secured the high school. A reunification plan is being developed, and more information will be provided within the next 30 minutes.
The public is urged to refrain from spreading rumors and misinformation. Please rely on official communications from the Foley Police Department and Baldwin County Board of Education for accurate information.
The public is asked to avoid the area until the security perimeter is removed.
More information regarding the incident will be released before noon.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.