Southwest
Experienced skydiver plummets to her death despite parachute 'fully deploying as designed'
A 55-year-old woman from Minnesota died Friday, following a parachuting incident in Eloy, Arizona, according to police.
Officers with the Eloy Police Department were dispatched to Skydive Arizona on Taylor Street at about 4 p.m. on Friday, after receiving reports of a parachutist who experienced complications during the descent.
Also responding to the scene were members of the Eloy Fire District, and when they arrived, medical personnel located the individual, later identified by police as 55-year-old Ann Wick.
Emergency crews immediately initiated life-saving measures, though Wick was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
73-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES IN SKYDIVING INCIDENT IN ARIZONA AFTER HIS PARACHUTE FAILED TO FULLY DEPLOY
A skydiver died in Arizona on Friday despite witnesses claiming her parachute deployed properly. (iStock)
Wick had about 265 jumps under her belt, Skydive Arizona said in a press release.
The company also noted that eyewitness accounts indicate the free fall phase of Wick’s skydive appeared normal, with the parachute deploying as expected. Despite the parachute deploying fully as designed, observers noted the “canopy was turning,” the company said.
The witnesses told the company the parachutist did not appear to take corrective actions, and a reserve parachute was not deployed.
POLICE IDENTIFY VICTIMS KILLED IN HOT AIR BALLOON CRASH IN ARIZONA; NTSB RELEASES NEW DETAILS
Despite the parachute deploying fully as designed, observers noted the “canopy was turning.” (Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
“The Skydive Arizona community is saddened by the loss of a cherished member of the skydiving family,” the company said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
The company also said it is fully cooperating with local authorities to assist with the investigation.
The police department and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident, which includes a thorough review of equipment, procedures and circumstances surrounding the fatal fall.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Eloy Police Department at 520-466-7324.
FLORIDA SKYDIVER TRAGICALLY FALLS TO HIS DEATH, FOUND DECEASED ON RESIDENTIAL LAWN: POLICE
Nearly a year ago, a 73-year-old experienced skydiver died in Arizona after his parachute failed to fully deploy during a jump.
The incident also happened at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Arizona.
The man who died, Terry Gardner, and three other skydivers were making their third jump of the day when the malfunction happened.
In an unrelated fatal incident that happened about a month before, a hot air balloon carrying eight skydivers crashed, killing the pilot and three passengers, while critically injuring another passenger. The hot air balloon was not operated by Skydive Arizona, though it crashed in Eloy. Just before the crash, all eight skydivers reportedly exited the hot air balloon.
A hot air balloon carrying eight skydivers crashed, killing the pilot and three passengers, while critically injuring another passenger in Eloy, Arizona. (Credit: FOX 10 Phoenix)
Despite the skydiving-related fatalities, Skydive Arizona notes on its website that the sport of skydiving achieved the lowest fatality rate in recorded history in 2024.
“According to the USPA, there were just 9 fatalities in the United States – a testament to a sport that has embraced not only the thrill of freefall but also the power of a community-driven approach to safety,” the company noted on its website. “To put this in perspective, over 3.65 million jumps were made across the country in 2023 – the last recorded year.”
The company said in its press release that it remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards.
Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach
A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.
On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.
She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.
The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
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