Crime
Woman found dead in truck near Aldi store in Festus, suspect in custody
The involved officer has been confirmed to be unharmed.
A series of tragic events unfolded late Sunday morning in Crystal City, Missouri, involving a fatal officer-involved shooting and the discovery of a woman’s body in a vehicle, authorities reported.
The incidents began around 11:30 a.m. near the Aldi grocery store located in the 700 block of South Truman Parkway at the intersection with Veterans Boulevard.
According to eyewitness accounts, a truck with blown-out tires was stopped in the middle of South Truman Parkway. Police officers surrounded the vehicle, exiting their patrol cars with weapons drawn. The male driver exited the truck, behaving erratically, according to one witness who asked to remain anonymous.
The man brandished two pistols, initially pointing them at his own head before firing both guns. The shots did not strike him, but the display heightened tensions. Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapons.
The situation escalated further when the man pointed one of the firearms in the direction of the officers. Police responded by opening fire, striking the suspect. Despite being hit, the man attempted to stand and again pointed a weapon at the officers, prompting a second round of gunfire that incapacitated him.
“The suspect was yelling for help,” the witness said. “The officers were instructing him to roll away from the guns so they could provide aid, but he refused to comply.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, which has taken over the investigation, confirmed that a woman was found deceased inside the truck, and the suspect was taken into police custody.
The suspect’s condition has not been disclosed.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Grant Bissell reassured the public that the incident posed no ongoing threat. “We can confirm we are investigating an officer-involved shooting for Crystal City Police, and there is no danger to the general public,” Bissell stated.
Authorities noted that the officer-involved shooting is unrelated to an earlier robbery and pursuit reported in Arnold.
The Aldi grocery store remained open during the investigation, though traffic in the immediate area was redirected as law enforcement worked to process the scene.
Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
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.