Crime
Two Arrested in Connection with Triple Homicide in Baton Rouge
The victims, Shelita Vallery (40), David Celestine (62), and Paul Lewis (63), were fatally shot.
Two individuals have been charged in connection with a triple homicide that occurred on Friday, September 27th, in the area of Benson Avenue and Grayson Avenue in Baton Rouge.
According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place around 11 p.m. The victims, Shelita Vallery (40), David Celestine (62), and Paul Lewis (63), were fatally shot. Celestine and Lewis were relatives of Vallery.
The suspects, Dominik Franklin (19) and Tyrone Eackles (19), were also injured during the incident and will be booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison upon their release from the hospital. Franklin faces three counts of first-degree murder, while Eackles is charged with three counts of principal to first-degree murder and illegal use of a firearm.
Deputies believe that Franklin was the shooter and that Eackles was his accomplice. The shooting is believed to be the result of an ongoing feud between Franklin and the Vallery family.
According to authorities, the suspects arrived at a home on Grayson Avenue and became involved in a physical altercation with the victims. The altercation escalated into gunfire, resulting in the deaths of the three victims. One of the victims is believed to have returned fire, injuring both suspects.
The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing.
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.