Crime
AMBER ALERT Canceled: 3-year-old Legend Sanford and 4-year-old Kannon O’Neal located and safe
UPDATE: Both missing children have been located and are in safe condition and unharmed. This case will remain under investigation.
TYLER, TX — An Amber Alert has been issued for two young siblings reported missing from Tyler. Authorities are urgently seeking the public’s help in locating 3-year-old Legend Sanford and 4-year-old Kannon O’Neal.
On Friday, December 13th, at approximately 7:10 AM, officers from the Tyler Police Department responded to a report of two missing children at the Evergreen Apartments, located at 4123 S Park Drive in Tyler.
The reporting party, the children’s guardian, stated that the boys were last seen at the apartment complex around 10 PM on Thursday, December 12th.
Legend Sanford was last seen wearing a blue Paw Patrol shirt and black, red, and white pants. Kannon O’Neal was last seen in a black shirt and black pants with blue and red stripes.
According to investigators, the children were seen leaving the apartment complex around 1 AM Friday morning, heading east on Sybil Lane. Surveillance footage later captured the children being picked up by a dark-colored SUV, believed to be a Mazda CX-3 four-door model.
Tyler Police Department officers, detectives, and other emergency personnel are actively searching the area and reviewing surveillance footage to locate the missing boys. Authorities are working under the assumption that the children could be in imminent danger.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Legend Sanford or Kannon O’Neal is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department immediately.
- In case of an emergency, dial 911.
- For other information or tips, call 903-531-1000.
Time is critical in cases like this. If you see the children or a vehicle matching the description, do not hesitate to contact authorities.
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.