BREAKING NEWS: Cam Newton Injured in Charlotte Crash (UPDATED: Transported As Precaution, Injury Update)

((ht: charlotteobserver.com))

Uh oh, this doesn't sound so good.

The Charlotte Observer reports Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton was injured around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon in a car crash. Newton's pickup truck and another car appear to have collided on a bridge near the teams offices at Bank of America stadium.

More RIGHT HERE

An Observer photographer was apparently on the scene shortly after the wreck and was able to identify Newton as he was being put on a stretcher. No word on the possible injuries was given. 120 Sports is reporting that Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Police confirm that he was able to communicate afterwards with them.

Cam Newton on a stretcher. Just loaded in ambulance pic.twitter.com/TP7rSRKXua
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 9, 2014

WBTV-TV has a closer photo of Newton:

#BREAKING: @WBTV_News is working to get more answers on the wreck involving Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. pic.twitter.com/FJ6uidwXIC
— Amanda Bazemore (@AmandaBazemore) December 9, 2014

Roads in the I-277/Church St. area in uptown Charlotte were closed at the time of the report and more information will hopefully be coming later in the day.

Video from the Observer reporter on the scene:



1330 UPDATE: Steve Crump at WBTV in Charlotte is reporting, via his Twitter, that Newton was transported as a precaution and that the Panthers QB wasn't injured and didn't want to go, but he did.

1530 UPDATE: From the Panthers via their Twitter:

Further testing revealed Cam Newton has two transverse process fractures in his lower back and no further internal injuries

For those of you not in the medical profession, it's the same inury that Tony Romo had after the game with the Redskins

DEVELOPING: Cards Taveras Dies In Car Crash

((HT: 120Sports))

Sad news out of the Dominican Republic...

120 is reporting that St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras has reportedly died in a car crash in his native country.

“Obviously, we have deep condolences to his family. We are still waiting for more details before issuing a full statement,” said Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, via MLB.com’s Jen Langosch (on Twitter).

From MLB Trade Rumors:

Taveras’ girlfriend also reportedly passed away. A variety of outlets from the Dominican Republic had reported news of the accident. Taveras was 22 years old. ESPN Deportes' Dionisio Soldevila says the police report indicates that Taveras’ car had veered off the road.

KMOV-TV in St. Louis reports his death was confirmed around 7:30 PM. Taveras was scheduled to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic before returning for spring training where he was expected to compete for the starting spot in right field.

The 22 year old came to the majors in style earlier this season


More when we know more...

The Bironas Saga Is Getting Odd...

((HT: WKRN-TV))

The wife of former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas called local Nashville Police to consider him missing just before his crash. Rachel Bradshaw thought her husband had gone to bed and, when she couldn't locate him inside their home, called to file a police report. The report was being filled out over the phone when the news of the crash came to the NPD.

Bironas was traveling at a high rate of speed about a mile from his home Saturday night when he lost control of his car in a curve, struck a line of trees and overturned in a culvert.

His autopsy was completed Monday and his body was released. Toxicology results, however, could take weeks to get back.

Here's the look at the accident report from Andy Cordan
WKRN News 2

Jim Wyatt's article in the The Tennessean presents a troubling picture of the moments before where Bironas allegedly threatened two Belmont University students in another car and may have tried to run another car off the road entirely.

Connor Fraley relayed what happened:

"His window was down, and we pulled up and I said, "Hey man, just a heads up, something's burning from your exhaust. Your exhaust smells horrible, just wanted to let you know,'' Fraley recalled telling Bironas. "He looked over at me and said "I'm going to kill everybody in your (expletive) vehicle. It was so random, so bizarre I was like, "What?" And he said the exact same thing again."

Bironas apparently went from that confrontation to another involving a married couple in another vehicle.
They were the ones who called 911 after their confrontation and they also happened on the crash of Bironas' car.

DEVELOPING: Dario Is Done, Doctors Say He Can't Race...

The four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner has been told by doctors that he has to hang up his steering wheel...

The accident he had in Houston, pretty much wrapped it for him...

Here's part of the statement released from his own website:

One month removed from the crash and based upon the expert advice of the doctors who have treated and assessed my head and spinal injuries post accident, it is their best medical opinion that I must stop racing. They have made it very clear that the risks involved in further racing are too great and could be detrimental to my long term well-being. Based on this medical advice, I have no choice but to stop.

Here's the wreck...
((HT: IndyCar/NBCSN))


Team owner Chip Ganassi followed:

His contributions to the sport of motor racing are too many to list but I can tell you that they go way beyond what he has done on the track. What’s both impressive and unique about Dario is that he has always been a student of racing, someone who not only appreciates the actual science of the sport but also the rich heritage of those racers that have gone before him.

Ganassi anticipates the next chapter of Franchitti's life to be in his shop...

Franchitti is also tied with Sebastien Bourdais and Paul Tracy for seventh on the Indy car career victory list with 31.

DEVELOPING: Dario Franchitti's Car Disintegrates In Houston, Fans Injured By Debris (UPDATE)

((HT: NBCSN))

This, really, was not the way that people wanted the race to have any highlights in Houston with the IndyCars...

Two angles... Dario Franchitti and Takuma Sato got mixed up...


And here...


IndyCar reports that Franchitti is alert and being transported to the hospital. Team owner Chip Ganassi is saying that his driver is okay with some soreness, bumps, and bruises... unconfirmed reports have the number of injured spectators at 15...

“I asked how he was doing, and he said, ‘Eh.’ His ankle is sore, and his back is sore, and he will be taken to the hospital. But he’s OK,” Ganassi told NBCSN's Kevin Lee...

More when we know more...

1730 UPDATE: According to the Houston Fire Department, at least 13 people were injured. Two of the 13 spectators injured were sent to local hospitals while the rest were treated at the scene by EMS, according to Senior Captain Ruy Lozano.

Driver In UC Football Fatal Dies In Hospital

((HT: WXIX-TV))

Miami University (OH) freshman Sean VanDyne, the driver in the incident that killed University of Cincinnati freshman Ben Flick has died in hospital as a result of his injuries...

He has just been married a month to his elementary school sweetheart, Rachel. He would have turned 19 next month.

VanDyne was a freshman at the university studying business.

"People were drawn to him. He was charismatic and funny. He loved to cook. He would cut up whatever I was serving for dinner, put cheese on it, and would always put it into a burrito shell," said his mother, Lynn. "Words cannot express the sense of sorrow at the unimaginable tragic loss of our son. My heart breaks for all the boys and their families, especially Ben's (Flick). He and Sean were best friends since the second grade. They were like brothers. They remain in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time."

Miami University President David Hodge released a statement saying:

"The Miami University community is saddened at the loss of our student, Sean VanDyne, and his friend, Ben Flick, a University of Cincinnati student, who were in a tragic car accident Saturday night, where two friends who were with them were also injured. We will miss them, and offer our deepest condolences to their families and friends."

"The loss of a student is so hard to bear. Sean was a member of our Miami family, and many here knew him. Our hearts go out to the many members of their families and communities who are mourning this loss together, as are we."

The VanDyne family is requesting friends and family not post any information about Sean on social media. "What we need is prayer. We ask to keep all the boys and their families in your prayers."

Hamilton High, Flick's alma mater, held a vigil for the grad Monday night...
((HT: WLWT-TV))

Tony Stewart Walks Away From This...???

((HT: From The Marbles/Jake Phelps))

We all know that Tony Stewart loves him some racing...

His fondness for dirt tracking was evidenced by his love for Eldora raceway, the truck race there recently, and showing up at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario, Canada for the 2013 Ohsweken Northern Summer Nationals. Smoke was battling another Stewart, Shane, when this happened...

Here's what he survived and walked away from...


Hasn't he done this before in larger cars...???
((HT: NASCAR on ESPN))


Yup... he had...

OSG High: Memorial Services Start For Brooks County 3

((HT: WALB-TV/WCTV))

Two of the three Brooks County (GA) high school football players killed in a automobile crash last week were laid to rest over the weekend.

The Tabernacle Church in Brooks County's seat, Quitman, was the place for 18 year-old Johnie Parker's memorial service Sunday afternoon.

Parker was a junior who played inside linebacker for the Trojans and his teammates were present as they were for Shawn Waters' memorial service in the church the day before.

Here's the latest from Quitman


The funeral for all-region defensive lineman Jicarre Watkins will be held this Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium- where the Trojans play their home games.

The fourth victim in the crash, De'Vron Whitfield, survived and after a stay in hospital, has returned to Quitman and is trying to rehabilitate in time to play this football season.

UK's Lowery In Serious Condition After Car Wreck

Ashely Lowery got the attention of a lot of college recruiters with this run during his time at White County (GA) High School...


And rightfully so... the million plus hits ended up getting him a lot of views and a home at the University of Kentucky. As a sophomore, he was a top-five team tackler as a defensive back.

Saturday, Lowery was involved in a one car crash where he was apparently ejected from his car and thrown close to 100 feet. There is no word yet as to whether or not the weather and wet conditions played a factor.

Lowery is in serious condition with the extent of his injuries unknown...

More when we know more...

Two Dead In California Sprint Car Crash

((HT: 13News/Sacramento))

Marysville Raceway Park outside Sacramento raceway was hosting the California Sprint Car Civil War Series on the opening day of its 2013 season. Sprint cars were doing hot laps about an hour before the races were set to begin when a car driven by Chase Johnson couldn't execute a turn off pit road.

Johnson's car ended up crashing and killing two people- a 14-year-old and a 68-year old.

Here's the live report from late night...


The 30 teams who entered in the race have donated their combined entrance fee of around $10,000 to the families of the victims.

On its Facebook page, the Marysville Raceway Park posted, "Our thoughts and deepest prayers go out to everyone. Out of respect we will not elaborate on details. We ask everyone to respect each other and the families."

Ex State Trooper Indicted In Crash That Killed Wife Of Braves Trainer

((HT: AJC/MyFoxAtlanta))

Here's your primer from back on New Year's Eve 2011
Marc Teichner has the story at the time...
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Christopher Seward now updates that Crozier has been indicted on charges of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, reckless driving and violation of oath by public officer.

Porter, obviously, isn't commenting- from Spring Training or anywhere...

From Seward's piece:

An investigation found Crozier had activated his lights and sirens, but the trooper did not slow his Dodge Charger patrol car enough to make sure the Porters’ Ford Expedition, which had a green light, had yielded to his patrol car before proceeding through the intersection.

Crozier, who had been on the force for 10 years, was fired after the incident. He released a statement following the accident expressing his sorrow. “I am so sorry for their loss and I think of them and pray for them every day,” he said in the statement released by his attorney.

The case will be heard in Fulton County (GA), but no date has been set yet...

UMaine Women's Hoops In Bus Crash

((HT: WLBZ-TV Bangor))

The University of Maine women's basketball team was involved in a bus accident on its way to their game in Boston against BU, but school officials say no players have been seriously injured. One basketball player was treated for a broken hand while Head Coach Richard Barron also was treated for cuts on his face.

Massachusetts State Police say the driver of the bus was the only person seriously hurt.
He was air lifted to a Boston hospital.

The bus was headed south when it crossed both the median and northbound lanes. At that point, the bus went off the highway into a nearby woods.

AD Steve Abbott toured the morning shows...

The game with Boston University has been cancelled...

Randy Edsall Relives Bizarre S. Florida Recruiting Trip

((HT: CSNWashington))

The HQ really can't do this justice... at all...

Maryland head coach Randy Edsall and an assistant went into the muck trying to get some recruiting done in the Pahokee-Belle Glade area of South Florida and...

Well, we really should just let him tell you in this interview with Chick Hernandez...


See what recruiting has become these days...???

It ain't all sunshine and rainbows now, is it...???

Flippin' Nissan... Mother Flippin' Nissan...

((HT: Nissan their own selves))

This weekend, about an hour north of OSG HQ, the Petit LeMans takes over the Road Atlanta course in Kim Basinger's self-owned metropolis of Braselton...

But, as good drivers do, they all get in their practice time to get acquainted with the course and its idiosyncrasies.

The HQ has done this as part of its television-sports past with FOSG Terri Popielarz when she ran the women's LeMans circuit. We sat in the passenger seat of the series and took a few laps. Afterwards, we had to rearrange our innards back to where they are supposed to be, but it was something we could scratch off a bucket list.

Anyway, we digress...

The Nissan DeltaWing car was taking its laps when this happened...


Driver Gunnar Jeannette was uninjured by the Porsche and the car should be back in shape for its US debut this weekend.