Local News
27-year-old Morgan Hawkins killed in horrific crash on US 280 in Mountain Brook
Authorities have identified the woman who was killed in a serious traffic crash Sunday afternoon along U.S. 280 in Jefferson County.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the victim was Morgan Lakesha Hawkins, a 27-year-old Birmingham resident.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:16 p.m. on U.S. 280 between Cherokee Road and Cahaba Road.
Rocky Ridge Fire District Chief Jon Lord stated that the vehicle was traveling westbound when it lost control and struck the median guardrail on the passenger side.
The force of the collision caused the guardrail to be pushed into two eastbound lanes of traffic, resulting in a significant roadway obstruction.
Both occupants of the vehicle were trapped inside following the impact.
Emergency responders worked to extricate the victims as traffic in the affected area was shut down for several hours.
Hawkins, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 1:45 p.m.
The driver of the vehicle, whose identity has not been released, was transported to UAB Hospital with serious injuries, officials said.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the Rocky Ridge Fire District, Mountain Brook Fire and Police Departments, and Alabama State Troopers.
The crash remains under active investigation by Mountain Brook police, and additional details will be released as they become available.
A town hall meeting in Minneapolis was disrupted Tuesday evening after an individual rushed the stage and sprayed U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar with an unknown substance, prompting a swift response from security and law enforcement.
According to witnesses and video from inside the venue, the incident occurred as Rep. Omar was addressing the audience and calling for Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment.
An adult male attendee suddenly moved past security barriers, ran toward the stage, and appeared to deploy a liquid or aerosol substance in Rep. Omar’s direction.
Security personnel, along with several attendees, immediately intervened and subdued the individual. Rep. Omar was quickly escorted from the stage by her security detail and Capitol Police as a precaution.
Sources familiar with the situation said Rep. Omar was not seriously injured and was evaluated for possible eye or skin irritation related to the substance.
She was reported to be safe, and no hospitalization was required.
As of late Tuesday evening, Rep. Omar had not released a public statement regarding the incident.
Minneapolis Police Department officers and federal authorities responded to the scene and took the suspect—described as a man in his 30s—into custody without further incident.
Investigators said no weapon other than the spray device was recovered.
The substance involved has not yet been identified, and authorities have not announced potential charges.
The incident remains under active investigation by local and federal law enforcement agencies.