Connecticut
Video shows plane wreck near Connecticut, not New Jersey drone crash | Fact check
NY officials call for federal action on mysterious drone sightings
After a series of reported drone sightings in the Northeast, New York officials called for federal action.
The claim: Video shows drone crash in New Jersey
A Dec. 16 Facebook reel (direct link, archive link) includes a video of emergency vehicles surrounding what appears to be an aircraft resting on a guardrail on the side of a highway.
“Drone Crashes!” reads the post’s caption, which includes the hashtags #newjersey and #ufo.
The post was shared more than 1,000 in two days. The footage and a similar claim were also shared on Instagram.
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Our rating: False
The video does not show a drone crash. The footage is from a Dec. 12 plane crash near the border of New York and Connecticut, according to media reports.
Video shows aftermath of plane crash near New York
A deluge of reports of drones flying unusually in the northeastern U.S. began circulating in mid-November, with more than 5,000 sightings reported as of Dec. 17. The sightings have sparked concerns about national security and airspace safety, but federal authorities have said there is no public safety risk.
The video shared on Facebook, however, does not show a crashed drone. Rather, it shows a small plane that crashed along Interstate 684 in Westchester County, New York, on Dec. 12, killing one person and injuring another, according to various news outlets. Footage and images from the scene match the scene shown in the Facebook video, showing the same small white plane in the same position on the side of the highway.
Fact check: No, that’s not a crashed drone. It’s a TIE fighter replica
A Federal Aviation Administration report about the incident said the pilot reported engine issues before the crash.
The New York State Police posted about the crash on X, alerting drivers to traffic closures on Interstate 684. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also issued a statement about the accident on Dec. 12, which confirmed one person died and another was injured.
White Plains is about 100 miles north of New Jersey, where the Facebook video claimed the crash happened and where witnesses have been reporting supposed drone sightings since mid-November.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who posted the Facebook video but did not immediately receive a response.
Lead Stories and PolitiFact also fact-checked the video
Our fact-check sources
- FAA, Dec. 12, FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents
- FAA, Dec. 13, FAA Accident and Incident Notification(s): Notice(s) Created 13-DEC-24
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Dec. 12, Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul
- New York State Police, Dec. 12, X post
- Connecticut State Police, Dec. 13, Troopers Assist National Transportation Safety Board with Aircraft Accident on I-684 in Greenwich
- CBS News, Dec. 13, One dead in small plane crash along I-684 in New York’s Westchester County
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USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
Connecticut
Lifeguards rescue driver who crashed car into pool in Connecticut
NEW CANAAN, Conn. — An elderly driver was rescued from his vehicle after he accidentally crashed into a swimming pool in on Tuesday.
It happened just after 10:30 a.m. at the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Connecticut.
The Tesla plowed through a fence and set of trees before plunging into the water. Police say he was trying to park at the time.
The community pool was closed when it happened, so no one was swimming or in the path of the vehicle.
Lifeguards and first responders entered the pool to help the driver out of the vehicle.
Lifeguard Mike D’Urso, 18, described what happened.
“Me and my coworker were setting up the umbrellas when we heard a loud crash and we turned around and there was a car right in the middle of the pool,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso said the man was conscious and alert, but the vehicle began to take on water.
“The car began to sink a couple minutes in, and my concern was that the water would rise above his head and wouldn’t be able to breathe,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso and EMS workers pulled the victim out through the passenger side window. The driver said he wasn’t injured, but he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The pool will have to be drained, cleaned and refilled. Officials hope to have it reopened by the weekend.
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Connecticut
1 dead in Hartford double shooting
One person is dead after a double shooting in Hartford, police said.
ShotSpotter notified police of shots fired around 7 p.m. on Magnolia Street.
When officers got to the scene, they found a woman unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
Police identified the victim as 46-year-old Diana Tirado of New Britain. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
There was another woman in her 30s with a gunshot wound on the sidewalk. She was taken to the hospital, where she is listed in stable condition. Her identity has not been released.
Police have not identified a suspect at this time.
Connecticut
Taste of SoNo Supports Connecticut Foodshare » CBIA
More than 200 people gathered May 28 in Norwalk for a night of food and entertainment supporting Connecticut Foodshare’s mission to fight food insecurity.
The second annual Taste of SoNo brought together local restaurants, business leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters to celebrate Fairfield County’s vibrant culinary community.
The event took place in The Magnificent Room at the SoNo Collection.
Guests sampled offerings from more than a dozen local restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and other exhibitors.
They also learned more about Connecticut Foodshare’s work through its network of community partners, mobile pantries, and other hunger-relief programs.
Community Impact
The evening featured live music and a silent auction with dining, music, and sports experiences, along with artwork and sports memorabilia.
“We are extremely thankful to everyone who attended and supported Connecticut Foodshare through this event,” said Connecticut Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski.
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission.”
Connecticut Foodshare’s Jason Jakubowski
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission to end hunger in Connecticut and ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to the nutritious food they need.”
Connecticut Foodshare hosted the event for the second year and has already started planning next year’s Taste of SoNo.
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