Indio police urge caution after deadly golf cart accident

KESQ on May 1, 2025

Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – Jeff Sperbeck, longtime agent for NFL legend John Elway, was pronounced dead on Tuesday according to the coroner’s office.

Now, News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson is looking into just how safe these vehicles are—and what rules are in place to prevent future tragedies.

According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study, approximately 15,000 people are injured each year in golf cart-related accidents.

Officer Jesse Yuhas with the Indio Police Department Traffic Division said the number of golf carts on public streets has increased this festival season during Coachella and Stagecoach, and with that comes added risk.

“People often underestimate them—they lack the crash protection of a regular car and can be unstable on uneven ground or sharp turns,” Yuhas said. “Plus, they’re quieter and smaller, making them harder for other drivers to see.”

In 2011, Indio adopted a Golf Cart Transportation Program, allowing permitted carts that meet safety requirements to travel on designated pathways and bike lanes.

According to Yuhas, these carts must meet specific safety and operational standards to be considered street legal.

“It must pass safety inspection and have a current permit. Equipment includes seat belts, headlights, brake lights, rear lights, turn signals, red reflectors, horn, parking brake, back-up buzzer, mirrors, a covered passenger area and a locking device,” Yuhas said.

Golf carts in Indio are regulated under both state law and the city’s transportation plan.

“We see a good level of compliance in designated areas, especially from residents familiar with the regulations,” Yuhas said. “However, occasional violations still occur—like driving after dark or using undesignated roads.”

Yuhas is reminding residents and festivalgoers alike: golf carts may be convenient—but they’re still vehicles, and they must be treated with care.

Viewers can find other cities’ golf cart rules online.

In La Quinta, drivers must have a valid California license—or one that meets state requirements.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from a driver who made safety a top priority and for the full ride along with Indio PD.

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Two recent alleged online predators targeted victims through social media

KION on May 1, 2025

jose.romo

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Two arrests were made in Monterey County after alleged cases of sexual assault where the perpetrator contacted victims through social media. Salinas PD confirms two victims, while Soledad has mentioned at least five minors reported being victims of that case. Both departments are saying, while the cases are similar, they do not have a connection. 

“Our officers and detectives have been investigating Saúl Hernández for sexually based crimes against juveniles,” Sergeant Zack Dunagan with Salinas Police says. “We were able to obtain enough information in the investigation to warrant an arrest for those charges.” 

In Salinas, 28-year-old Saúl Hernández was arrested facing various charges related to sexual offenses involving minors. Detectives say Hernández used social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat to target victims under the age of 16. 

“We have been able to confirm two separate victims who don’t know each other,” Dunagan says. “That’s why our concern is, there are more out there potentially.”

In an unrelated case, but with similar circumstances, Soledad police arrested 33-year-old Rutilio Calihua Quiahua, a resident of King City. He is presumably responsible for committing sexual offenses, targeting the Oaxacan community. Officials are confirming five victims total. Dunagan is adding that cases like these must be handled with care. 

“It’s hard to reach victims because this is something that people don’t necessarily want to talk about. So it’s a constant back and forth of us trying to reach out but not trying to push too hard, where… we still want victims to understand that they are a victim of a crime.” 

That is why agencies like the binational center for the development of Oaxacan indigenous communities reiterate their support to potential victims. In a statement, they say they continue providing services in their greenfield and offices.

Still, Dunagan reminds parents to stay vigilant of their children’s social media activity. 

“There are a lot of ways to hide apps. And I think parents just need to stay on top of that accessibility and also know what is prevalent in the social media world at the time, because that’s what kids are going to flock to.”

Sargent Dunagan says that although access to internet and social media presence is more prevalent, they have not seen a rise in these types of cases.

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Former hospital worker from Rolla sentenced 20 years for federal child porn charge

KMIZ on May 1, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Rolla man who secretly recorded women at the hospital where he worked was sentenced on Wednesday to 20 years in prison, a press release from the Department of Justice says.

Ian Wood, 45, pleaded guilty in January to producing child pornography and receiving child pornography.  He admitted to recording young children to create child porn, the release says.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified law enforcement about child porn being uploaded to Wood’s Google account, the release says. Law enforcement found child porn, along with files of nude women being recorded without their consent at the hospital where he worked, the release says.

He was first arrested for the crimes in December 2022.

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SE Bend police standoff ends as two people surrender, one a fugitive arrested on a statewide warrant

KTVZ on May 1, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video, More information about suspect, arrest)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Armed Bend Police officers and the region’s SWAT team surrounded a southeast Bend apartment in a standoff Wednesday afternoon, calling on a fugitive inside to come out with their hands up or force could be used. Two people eventually came out and were detained, one of whom was arrested.

Around 2:45 p.m., Bend Police learned that Brach Addison Roberts, a 32-year-old Bend resident, had an active statewide felony warrant and was reportedly in possession of an illegal firearm, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.  

Officers determined that Roberts was in an apartment at the Old Mill Apartments at SE Third Street and McKinley Avenue, Miller said. The Central Oregon Emergency Response Team was activated, and McKinley Avenue was blocked off between Third and Fourth streets as officers tried to contact Roberts, using a loudspeaker to hail him in an effort to get him out of the apartment.

Bend Police advised the public by social media around 4:40 p.m. of the large police presence and road closure, asking people to avoid the area. Two armored vehicles were on the scene before the standoff ended.

 Ultimately, officers negotiated Roberts out of the apartment, and he was taken into custody without injury or incident around 5:35 p.m. Roberts was taken to the Deschutes County Jail on his felony warrant. Jail records Wednesday night showed Roberts being held on $75,000 bail for a probation violation.  

A KTVZ News crew on scene watched as a man and woman in the apartment surrendered and were taken into custody with their hands up and without apparent incident. They were handcuffed and surrounded by officers with guns drawn and wearing body armor.

Miller told KTVZ News the woman was briefly detained, but only the man was arrested. Soon, the street reopened, while some police remained on scene to search the apartment. Miller told us later they did not find a gun on the suspect or in their search of the apartment.

A viewer earlier shared a video in which an officer could be heard using the loudspeaker, telling someone to come out with their hands in the air and with no weapons in their hands.

“If you don’t comply, force may be used against you,” the officer said, also advising a K-9 team could be deployed and munitions could be used – and that someone inside already was under arrest. “We know you’re in there.”

Last year, court records show Roberts pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and third-degree escape and got a 30-day jail term.

He pleaded guilty in 2023 to fentanyl delivery, was sentenced to 15 days in jail and 18 months probation, and a $75,000 bench warrant was issued last fall for violating probation by failing to report to his probation officer as directed.

Robert also pleaded guilty in 2016 to fleeing or attempting to elude police and in 2009 to second-degree assault.

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Woman accused in deadly Callaway County shooting out on bond

KMIZ on May 1, 2025

Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Callaway County woman accused of shooting and killing a woman at an apartment complex earlier this month is out on bond.

Heather M. Smith, 37, was charged with second-degree murder, child endangerment, armed criminal action and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. Her bond was lowered to $150,000 on Monday and she was released Tuesday afternoon from the Callaway County Jail.

Smith is accused of killing Kara Dills, 37. Court documents in previous reporting say the shooting started with an argument between Smith and Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments. The documents cite nine witnesses to the shooting.

Video obtained by ABC 17 News shows the moments leading up to the deadly shooting at the Hunter Lane apartments on April 13.

Smith’s private investigator Cody Vaughn said his children are related to Smith’s oldest child. He said the fight started over children’s bicycles early that Sunday afternoon.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office said at 12:38 p.m. they received a non-emergency phone call from a resident at Hunter Lane Apartments. The caller was confirmed to be a family member of Dills who expressed concerns that a neighbor was bullying her grandchildren. However, the caller did not request a deputy to respond.

According to Vaughn, the initial argument was between Dills’ mother and Smith. He said after roughly two hours Dills showed up and an altercation began between her and Smith.

About eight people are in the Hunter Lane Apartments parking lot as the argument began. The video shows Smith and Dills arguing with each other then Dills shoves Smith. Then Smith pulls out a gun and points it at multiple people.

Vaughn said Dills assaulted Smith first.

“Thats when the weapon is first drawn, there has been physical contact, it is already an assault,” Vaughn said.

The video then shows Dills run to a vehicle and grab a gun. She is then allegedly shown pistol whipping Smith.

The gun went off, grazing a man later identified as Thomas Jones, 71, on his head, according to the probable cause statement. After Dills lowered her gun and started to walk away, Smith shot her in the stomach, the statement says. She later died.

Just before the video ends it shows Dills turns as if she is going to walk away. Former Cole County Prosecutor Bill Tackett said that moment will be key in court.

“I see the victim’s right arm turn and it’s this turn here, I haven’t seen the rest that would make you believe that they were retreating,” Tackett said.

Defense Attorney Ted Luby is representing Smith and argues she acted in self-defense.

“Its absolutely lawful self-defense, 10,000%, she’s 5’2, I think there was a 6-foot-5 gentlemen, along with a mob of others attacking her and threatening to kill her and injury her under those circumstances she’s entitled to use self-defense,” Luby said.

Proving self-defense will be the focus, if the case goes to trial and Tackett said a jury will have to focus on the Smith’s state of mind at the time of the shooting.

“Does the shooter believe they’re in imminent danger of death, serious physical injury or forcible felony thats what a judge or jury would have to look at.” Tackett said.

“She only has to reasonably believe she is in danger, the law doesn’t even require that she actually be in danger, the jury instructions say that specifically,” Luby added.

Vaughn said the best outcome would be self-defense.

“She’s a great mother, she’s dedicated to the community, she’s a very giving person I think justice would be a self-defense ruling,” Vaughn said.

Smith is due in court on May 28. Luby said he will work to get the case dismissed.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Callaway County prosecutor.

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