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Los Angeles, Ca

Illinois authorities identify Orange County girl killed in jet ski crash

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Illinois authorities identify Orange County girl killed in jet ski crash

Authorities in Illinois have identified the two girls killed in jet ski crash earlier this week, including a 16-year-old from Orange County.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two girls as 16-year-old Sarina Vootkur of Lake Forest and 13-year-old Elle Kim of Long Grove, Illinois.

Results of autopsies conducted Thursday determined that the two girls died from “blunt force injuries” suffered in the crash.

According to Sheriff’s officials, on Tuesday, the two girls were riding a Yamaha WaveRunner on Lake Marie near Antioch Township, a town located in Illinois, about 70 miles north of Chicago.

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Vootkur was driving the vehicle with Kim riding on the back. Witnesses said the girls were traveling at a high rate of speed directly in the path of a speed boat driven by a 55-year-old Illinois man.

The two vehicles collided and both girls were thrown into the water and knocked unconscious. They were both wearing life vests which allowed for the occupants of the boat to pull them from the water and provide first aid until they were able to take them to shore, officials said.

The girls were taken to a nearby hospital and were pronounced deceased after they arrived, Sheriff’s officials said. No other injuries were reported in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by the local Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Conservation Police.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man shot and killed during child custody exchange in Covina

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Man shot and killed during child custody exchange in Covina

A man was shot and killed during a child custody exchange in Covina.

On June 9, Covina police were called to a parking lot outside Home Depot at 963 W. Badillo St. just after 6 p.m.

Several people had gathered at the location to facilitate a child custody exchange. During the meeting, as an argument erupted between two men, things escalated.

One of the men pulled out a gun and shot the other man, police said. Officers were called to the scene and, despite lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead.

A man was fatally shot outside a Home Depot parking lot in Covina on June 9, 2026. (Citizen)

The suspect was taken into custody shortly after. Footage from the scene showed the parking lot was cordoned off as officers investigated the area and spoke to the other adults involved in the child custody exchange.

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No further details, including the suspect’s or victims’ identities, were released. 

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Covina Police Department at 626-384-5622.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Los Angeles High School locked down as police search for armed juvenile

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Los Angeles High School locked down as police search for armed juvenile

Los Angeles High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning as police searched for three juveniles, including one believed to be armed with a handgun.

Officers responded to the area of Olympic and West boulevards around 8:15 a.m. following a report of an assault with a deadly weapon involving four minors.

One of the minors involved in the assault was believed to be armed with a handgun, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Miller confirmed to KTLA.

Los Angeles High School was placed on lockdown as police responded to the incident.

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One suspect was taken into custody, but Miller said police are still searching for the three remaining juveniles and the handgun.

A perimeter has been set up around the school as officers search for the remaining suspects.

“Today, the school initiated a lockdown as we received reports of a possible weapon on campus,” a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson said. “We took immediate action, including notifying the Los Angeles School Police Department and Region West Operations for further investigation. The Los Angeles School Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department are conducting a search of the campus for weapons.  We will provide additional information once it is available.”

No information was provided about the assault victim or any injuries sustained in the incident.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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Los Angeles, Ca

O.C. Uber customer says driver asleep in Tesla on 405 Freeway

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O.C. Uber customer says driver asleep in Tesla on 405 Freeway

An Orange County rideshare customer captured cellphone footage of his Uber driver seemingly asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla traveling along the 405 Freeway earlier this year.

The incident, according to the customer who reached out to KTLA, occurred March 24 while he was on a ride to Costa Mesa just before 7:30 p.m.

In the footage, the driver, wearing a coat and tie, is seen with his head resting against the headrest while remaining completely still, even as the customer moves closer with the camera.

Toward the end of the video, one of the driver’s hands appears to rest near his waist rather than on the steering wheel.

A rideshare customer captured cellphone footage of his Uber driver apparently sleeping while behind the wheel of a Tesla on the 405 Freeway in Orange County on March 24, 2026. (viewer image)

The customer told KTLA he filed a complaint with Uber but was informed he would not be able to find out whether any action was taken regarding the incident. He also said he contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which reportedly declined to accept the video evidence and told him deputies would have needed to witness the driver asleep themselves.

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Videos of Tesla drivers appearing to be asleep have become increasingly common.

More recently, footage of an apparently napping Tesla driver on the 5 Freeway was captured by witnesses in southbound lanes near Camp Pendleton.

As far back as February 2023, video obtained by KTLA showed two separate drivers appearing to be asleep behind the wheel in the span of a week, one in Los Angeles and the other in Temecula.

  • Uber driver apparently asleep behind wheel of Tesla

KTLA’s San Francisco sister station, KRON, also obtained footage of an East Bay driver apparently asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla Model 3 on Highway 4 in March.

According to Tesla’s guidelines, drivers using the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving mode are required to remain attentive and ready to take control of the car at any moment.

In past incidents, the California Highway Patrol has told KTLA that drivers must be awake, conscious and sober to legally operate a moving vehicle.

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The electric vehicle maker has been at the center of numerous controversies but remains the top-selling brand in California for the fourth year in a row. Tesla’s Model Y far outsold any other new vehicle in the state in 2025.

KTLA has reached out to Uber about the March 24 incident and is awaiting a response.

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