Local News
April Jones and her mother Gail Robinson killed in Barry County crash
A fatal two-vehicle crash in Barry County, Missouri, claimed the lives of two women and left two others seriously injured Friday afternoon.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred on April 10, 2026, at approximately 12:45 p.m. along Highway 37, about half a mile south of Purdy.
Preliminary findings indicate that a 2009 GMC Envoy traveling northbound lost control after hydroplaning, causing the vehicle to cross into the southbound lane.
The Envoy was then struck on the passenger side by a southbound 2005 Honda CR-V.
The driver of the GMC Envoy, 65-year-old Gail Desrosiers Robinson of Shell Knob, Missouri, and a passenger, 41-year-old April Jones of Exeter, Missouri, sustained fatal injuries.
Both women were pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 1:40 p.m. by Barry County Coroner Gary Swearingen.
Authorities confirmed that both victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Honda CR-V, a 46-year-old woman from Noblesville, Indiana, along with a 40-year-old female passenger from Columbia, Missouri, suffered serious injuries.
Both were also wearing seat belts and were transported to Cox South Hospital in Springfield for treatment.
Officials reported that both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were declared total losses.
The vehicles were later removed from the scene by a towing service.
The crash remains under investigation as authorities work to determine all contributing factors.
Local News
Leah Levy Among Two Skydivers Killed in Midair Collision During Landing Near Lake Elsinore, California
LAKE ELSINORE, California — Two experienced skydivers, including Leah Levy, died after their parachutes became entangled during a midair collision while they were preparing to land at a skydiving event in Southern California on Friday.
The fatal accident occurred at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, where two licensed and experienced skydivers were participating in an organized skydiving event.
According to a statement from Skydive Elsinore, the collision happened at approximately 150 feet above the ground as the two participants were approaching the landing area.
Both skydivers suffered critical injuries and were transported to a local hospital. They were later pronounced dead.
Skydive Elsinore said the initial stages of the jump, including the free-fall portion and parachute deployment, proceeded normally.
However, as the two skydivers prepared to land, they collided in midair at an altitude of approximately 150 feet, or about 46 meters, above the ground.
The impact caused their parachutes to become entangled, leaving both participants unable to complete their landings safely.
“The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground,” the company said in a statement.
The Riverside County Fire Department reported that both skydivers suffered traumatic injuries in the incident.
Emergency responders transported them to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite receiving medical attention, both later died from their injuries.
One of the victims was identified in the supplied information as Leah Levy. The second skydiver’s identity has not been provided.
Skydive Elsinore confirmed that both individuals were licensed and experienced skydivers participating in the organized event.
The company said the collision occurred during the final approach to landing, after the free fall and parachute-opening stages had reportedly gone normally.
The incident resulted in the deaths of both participants.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision and any subsequent investigation have not been provided in the available information.