Crime
23-year-old Cetho Alvarez and his 44-year-old father killed after shooting at gas station in Sioux Falls
A double homicide occurred Thursday night at a gas station in western Sioux Falls, resulting in the deaths of a 23-year-old Cetho Alvarez and a 44-year-old man.
According to Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens, the incident stemmed from a mistaken identity.
The 23-year-old man had been assaulted earlier in the evening and believed the individuals responsible were a group of motorcyclists.
The 23-year-old man, accompanied by the 44-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, followed a group of motorcyclists to the gas station located at 41st Street and Sertoma Avenue. Armed with bats, the three men confronted the motorcyclists.
A physical altercation ensued, during which the 23-year-old man swung a bat at a 26-year-old individual. In response, the 26-year-old pulled out a gun and shot both the 23-year-old and the 44-year-old man who was also swinging a bat.
A 42-year-old woman, who was part of the group that confronted the motorcyclists, pointed a gun at the 26-year-old man. He shot her as well, but she survived and was treated at a hospital.
The 26-year-old man who shot the three individuals has not been arrested and is cooperating with police.
He claims to have acted in self-defense while trying to avoid being hit with a bat.
Traffic camera footage confirmed that the motorcyclists the 23-year-old man believed were responsible for the earlier assault were actually at a different location.
At least two guns were involved in the shooting incident. Police believe these were the only firearms used.
The 42-year-old woman who was shot has been identified as Darinda Janette Martinez.
An arrest warrant has been issued for her on charges of aggravated assault.
This incident is considered unusual, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the earlier assault on the 23-year-old man.
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.