Local News
Video shows man nearly hit by helicopter during crash in Huntington Beach near Los Angeles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — A dramatic video captured the moment a helicopter narrowly missed striking a bystander before crashing near a crowded event in Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon, prompting authorities to declare a mass casualty incident and hospitalize three people.
The incident occurred around 2:09 p.m., according to dispatch information from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The helicopter went down near the Waterfront Beach Resort along Pacific Coast Highway, in close proximity to the popular Cars and Copters on the Coast event — an annual showcase that attracts thousands of spectators to view helicopters and luxury vehicles.
Footage obtained shows the helicopter flying at a low altitude before suddenly losing control and dropping sharply toward the ground.
The aircraft crashed near the roadway, scattering debris across Pacific Coast Highway and into nearby trees adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa.
Emergency responders from the Huntington Beach Police Department, the Orange County Fire Authority, and emergency medical teams rushed to the scene within minutes.
The helicopter came to rest wedged among trees, forcing first responders to secure the wreckage while providing immediate medical care to victims.
Authorities confirmed that two individuals were on board the helicopter at the time of the crash — both survived and managed to exit the wreckage.
However, three pedestrians standing nearby sustained injuries from the impact and were transported to local hospitals. Officials have not yet released updates on their conditions.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and disbelief as the helicopter descended toward the crowd. One attendee recalled,
“A couple minutes sooner and we would’ve been involved in this accident. It’s unreal — we had just crossed that same walkway two minutes before it happened.”
Police temporarily closed portions of Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding areas as crews conducted rescue operations and cleared debris. Event organizers have been cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will lead a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash, including possible mechanical failure or pilot error.
As of Saturday evening, no fatalities have been reported. Officials emphasized that the situation could have been significantly worse given the large number of attendees at the event.
“This could have been a far greater tragedy,” one official stated. “We are grateful for the quick response of first responders and the cooperation of everyone involved during this emergency.”
Local News
Three Killed in Highway 61 Crash Near Walls, Mississippi; Victims Identified as Latasha Dodson, Eddie Dodson, and Tamenshia Ford
WALLS, Mississippi — Three people were killed in a serious collision Wednesday evening near U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls, leaving multiple families grieving and a community mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 8:04 p.m. and involved a 2021 Honda Accord and another vehicle driven by 27-year-old Da’Quarius M. Burton of Memphis, Tennessee.
Authorities identified the three people who died inside the Honda Accord as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake
- Eddie L. Dodson, 41, of Byhalia
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash also left two people injured. Da’Quarius M. Burton, who was driving the other vehicle, survived the collision, as did a fourth occupant of the Honda Accord whose identity has not yet been released.
Both survivors were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Officials have not provided an update on their conditions.
The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
The tragedy has also deeply affected local law enforcement and public service communities. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one of its juvenile detention officers was among those who died in the crash. Another employee was seriously injured.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office remembered its fallen employee as a respected and beloved member of the team who demonstrated kindness, compassion, and dedication to the young people entrusted to their care.
The department also recognized the lasting difference the employee made through their work and the positive influence they had on others.
Officials have not publicly identified which of the three victims worked for the Sheriff’s Office.
The Walls Police Department also confirmed that one of its patrol officers was involved in the collision. However, the department has not clarified the officer’s condition or released additional information about the circumstances surrounding their involvement.
The crash has therefore brought grief and concern to several public safety agencies, including the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and the Walls Police Department.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash near Highway 61 and Church Road. Authorities have not released a determination about what caused the vehicles to collide.
Further information may become available as investigators review the circumstances of the incident and complete their work.
The deaths of Latasha N. Dodson, Eddie L. Dodson, and Tamenshia R. Ford represent an enormous loss for their families, friends, and everyone who knew them.
Three individuals from different communities have now been lost in a single devastating incident. Their loved ones are left to face the difficult days ahead while holding on to the memories they shared.
The loss has also been felt by colleagues and members of the local public safety community, particularly those mourning the juvenile detention officer remembered for compassion and dedication to young people.
During this painful time, thoughts are with the families of all three victims, the injured survivors, and the employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and Walls Police Department.
May Latasha N. Dodson, Eddie L. Dodson, and Tamenshia R. Ford rest in peace.