January 3, 2012--Perris, CA--A skydiving accident Sunday claimed the life of a 41-year-old Australian woman.  Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.

Nicole Hannan was an experienced skydiver with over 1,000 jumps to her credit.  She had participated in several events at Perris Valley Skydiving, where the incident took place.  Dan Brodsky-Chenfied, manager of the site, claims Hannan did not open her chute in time to avoid an accident.

According to Brodsky-Chenfield, several people were watching Hannan complete her sixth dive of the day when she cut away her main chute, but failed to open her backup chute.  The cause of the malfunction to the main chute is under investigation, but it is unknown why she did not open her emergency chute.  Brodsky-Chenfield speculated that she may have misjudged her distance to the ground.

My sincere thoughts and condolences are with Ms. Hannan's family and friends during this difficult time.

Skydiving Accident Statistics

53 people were killed in 2010 as the result of skydiving accidents, down from the 68 in 2009.  Complete figures will not be available for some time for 2011, although 24 deaths have already been recorded worldwide.

While there are relatively few skydiving accidents logged each year, they are almost always fatal.  Accidents are classified by www.dropzone.com, a website which compiles accident statistics for skydivers, as collisions (16%), landings (32%), no pulls (9%), malfunctions (16%), reserve problems (5%), and other (15%).  It will not be clear to which category this accident belongs until the investigation is completed. Read full story »

A car accident in Los Angeles involving a hit-and-run driver, resulted in life-threatening injuries for 3-year-old Lany Castillo the afternoon of January 13, 2012. CBS Los Angeles reports that the injury crash happened at the intersection of Mulberry Drive and Laurel Avenue in Whittier. Police say 25-year-old Matthew Parker of Garden Grove was under the influence and driving at an excessive rate of speed when he blew through a red light at the intersection and collided with a Toyota Corolla. Lany, who was a passenger in the Toyota suffered severe head injuries. Her grandmother, Estella Garcia, and her grandfather, Jorge Garcia, 55, were also injured. Parker left the scene, but was apprehended shortly afterward and charged with felony DUI and hit-and-run.

My heart goes out to little Lany, her grandparents and their family members for what they are going through at this time. I pray for a speedy and complete recovery for these victims.

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A school bus accident the afternoon of January 12, 2012 resulted in injuries for a bicyclist, who officials said, was a man in his 40s. The Orange County Register reports that the accident happened at Lincoln Avenue and Empire Street when an Anaheim Union High School District bus, which was not carrying any students, struck the bicyclist. The man was pinned under the bus. However, he did not suffer critical injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Officials are looking into what caused this bus versus bicycle accident.

My heart goes out to this injured bicycle accident victim. It is indeed fortunate that his injuries were not life-threatening. I pray that he recovers swiftly and fully from whatever injuries he has suffered.

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A car accident in Fountain Valley resulted in severe injuries for a 29-year-old Huntington Beach bicyclist the afternoon of January 11, 2012. The Orange County Register reports that the major injury collision happened at Bushard Street and Talbert Avenue. Police say two SUVs collided at the intersection and one of them veered and struck the bicyclist who was waiting at the corner for the lights to change. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital with major injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

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A car accident in San Diego resulted in major injuries for a 20-year-old skateboarder the evening of January 9, 2012. City News Service reports that the incident, which involved a hit-and-run driver, occurred near the intersection of Oleander Avenue and Alamitos Way in San Marcos. Police say the victim was riding a skateboard in the area when he was struck. The driver left the scene, but was arrested shortly afterward. The man who was hit sustained severe head trauma. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim of this hit-and-run car accident. I pray that he recovers swiftly and fully from whatever injuries he has sustained.

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A car accident in Los Angeles County resulted in injuries for a couple whose vehicle, officials say, was struck by a red light runner. The Cerritos-Artesia Patch reports that the accident, which involved three vehicles, happened at the intersection of Shoemaker Avenue and Artesia Boulevard in Cerritos, the evening of January 8, 2012. Officials say the blue Kia minivan carrying the husband and wife was hit by a Mitsubishi Lancer driven by an 18-year-old Fullerton man. The minivan rolled over and collided with a Toyota Sienna. The man and his wife sustained injuries, but are expected to survive. No citations have been issued pending an official investigation.

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A car accident in San Bernardino, which officials say involved a hit-and-run driver, proved fatal for 26-year-old Terrell Conner. The Press-Enterprise reports that the fatal pedestrian accident happened during the early morning hours of January 8, 2012 near the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Ninth Street in Rancho Cucamonga. Authorities say Conner was struck by a vehicle whose driver left the scene. Officials are looking for the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck as "a person of interest." Police are still looking for the suspect and more information about this incident. An investigation is underway.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Terrell Conner following this hit-and-run car accident. Conner's grieving family will be in my prayers.

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A car accident in Riverside left a 62-year-old woman seriously injured the evening of January 4, 2012. The Press-Enterprise reports that the injury collision happened at the intersection of Heacock Street and Kernwood Drive in Moreno Valley. Police said a Honda car struck the woman who was crossing the roadway. The driver did not stop and fled the scene. The suspect vehicle has been described as a 1990s model two-door Honda with a black hood. The woman was transported to a hospital with fractures and head trauma. Police are still looking for the hit-and-run driver.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victim of this hit-and-run car accident who has been severely injured. I pray for her swift and full recovery.

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A car accident in Los Angeles involving a suspected drunk driver proved fatal for 26-year-old comedian Angelo Bowers, early morning on January 3, 2012. KTLA News reports that the deadly collision happened at the intersection of Vine and Yucca streets in Hollywood, when a Toyota Matrix struck the Jeep Wrangler in which Bowers was a passenger. Officials determined that the 21-year-old driver of the Toyota was under the influence and caused a hit-and-run collision in Hollywood just five minutes prior to the fatal crash. Bowers died from his injuries a few hours after the crash, while the driver of the Jeep, Josh Adam Meyers, suffered severe injuries. The driver of the Toyota faces felony DUI and murder charges.

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An elderly pedestrian who was fatally injured in a car accident in San Diego has been identified as 82-year-old Patricia Dora Martin. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the accident occurred the afternoon of January 1, 2012 at the intersection of 30th Street and Howard Avenue in the North Park neighborhood. Martin was crossing the roadway when a Toyota SUV hit her. She sustained severe head trauma and died at a nearby hospital. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to everyone who knew and loved Patricia Dora Martin for their terrible loss. This grieving family will be in my prayers.

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