Second teen dies after sledding incident that killed her best friend, her family says

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By Doug Myers, Marvin Hurst, S.E. Jenkins

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    FRISCO, Texas (KTVT) — The Frisco community is grieving a second heartbreaking loss after 16‑year‑old Grace “Gracie” Brito, who had been on life support following a sledding incident that killed her best friend, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Angle, died Tuesday night, her family confirmed.

The incident happened on Sunday when the two teens were riding on a sled being pulled by a Jeep Wrangler driven by another teen. The sled struck a curb and then a tree. Both girls were taken to the hospital, where Angle died. Brito was placed on life support. Her family shared late Tuesday that she did not survive.

Family describes unimaginable grief In a statement, Grace Brito’s mother, Tracy Brito, described a family shattered by the loss of their daughter.

“We are a family of four – myself, my husband, Grace and Emma,” she wrote, noting that Emma is a freshman at LSU. “Our family is heartbroken and devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Gracie.”

She remembered Grace Brito as “a kind and generous soul, full of love, affection, and warmth,” a young woman with “gentle strength,” compassion and a deep instinct to care for others. Tracy Brito said Grace Brito had recently earned her driver’s license and was proud to register as an organ donor – a wish the family plans to honor.

A dedicated All‑Star cheerleader Grace Brito was also a dedicated All‑Star cheer competitor at Express Cheer in Frisco, where she trained year‑round and built close bonds with teammates and coaches.

“She valued teamwork, friendship, and encouragement, and she took pride in lifting others up,” her mother said. “She was creative, strong‑minded, and a VERY bubbly girl.”

Community support and lasting friendship The family said the days since the incident have been “unimaginably difficult,” and they are relying on faith, each other and the outpouring of support from friends, relatives and the community. They expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and compassion shown to them.

Tracy Brito also confirmed that her daughter and Angle were inseparable.

“She was one of Grace’s best friends,” she said. “They were always together at each other’s house.”

Family asks for privacy The family asked for privacy as they grieve and focus on honoring Grace’s life.

“We will miss her till the day we die,” her mother wrote. “She is our guardian angel now. #GraceStrongForever”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Mother describes losing 3 sons in frozen pond: “I couldn’t help them”

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By Marissa Armas, Doug Myers, Amelia Mugavero, Briauna Brown

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    FANNIN COUNTY, Illinois (KTVT) — A North Texas mother is grieving the loss of three of her sons after they drowned Monday in a frozen pond near the home where the family had been staying, according to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple state and local agencies responded to a call about three brothers who had fallen through the ice on a private pond off Rec Road #3, just outside Bonham, about 70 miles northeast of Dallas.

The pond sits about 100 feet from the house, separated by an embankment.

The mother of six, Cheyenne Hangaman, said she was outside with her children when they were playing and that “it all happened in an instant.” She said she had warned the boys to stay away from the water, but they didn’t listen.

Hangaman told investigators her youngest son tried to “ice skate” on the frozen pond and fell through.

His two older brothers jumped in to try to save him.

Mother describes frantic rescue attempt “I tried to pick one up and put them on the ice,” Hangaman told CBS News Texas. “It would just break and keep falling in.”

“There was three of them and only one of me,” she said. “That’s why I couldn’t save them.”

First responders and a neighbor pulled the two older boys, ages 8 and 9, from the water and began life‑saving measures before they were taken to a hospital, where they later died. The youngest child, age 6, did not resurface and was recovered after an extensive search.

Authorities did not release the children’s names, but family members identified them as 6‑year‑old Howard Doss, 8‑year‑old Kaleb Doss and 9‑year‑old EJ Doss. All three were students in Bonham ISD.

Community mourns three young brothers Hangaman said she realized something was wrong when her daughter ran to her yelling that the boys had gone into the water.

“When I seen them, they were struggling, and I know their bodies were already in shock,” she said. “The water was freezing cold.”

“I tried to fight for my kids’ life,” Hangaman said. “I had to watch them struggle and drown, and I couldn’t help them.”

She described her sons as full of personality – EJ dreamed of becoming a football star, Kaleb loved to dance and sing, and Howard “liked making people laugh.”

Bonham ISD said counselors would be available for students and staff this week.

“We are devastated by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who knew and loved these children,” the district said in a letter to families.

A neighbor who heard the screams ran to help and was able to pull Hangaman from the water, she said.

Hangaman said she might have lost her life as well if it weren’t for a good Samaritan who pulled her from the water.

“He said he heard the screaming or the call for help and came running. My friend had a horse rope, and he pulled me out with it,” Hangaman said.

That good Samaritan – Bonham ISD’s athletic director and football coach, John Ramsey – declined an interview but shared a statement.

“Right now, all focus should be on supporting a family that is suffering unimaginable loss. They need privacy, prayers and support as they navigate this incredibly difficult time,” Ramsey said. “I’m asking the media and our community to direct all attention toward helping them.

“I was nearby helping a neighbor when I heard someone calling for help and went to assist. Any person in that situation would have done the same thing. I was simply close enough to help in a moment of crisis, doing what I hope anyone would do for someone in need.

“I will not be doing interviews at this time. Instead, I ask that we all come together to support this family however we can. Thank you for your understanding.”

As she prepares to bury her children, Hangaman said she hopes her tragedy serves as a warning to other parents.

“It can happen to you,” she said. “Make sure that you hold your kids tight. Always tell them that you love them.”

The family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate. Authorities have not said whether any charges will be filed.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Driver walks away with fine in deadly 2024 crash, despite history of DUI offenses

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By WBBM

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A violent four-car crash killed a 76-year-old woman on the Tri-State. Some said the crash was no accident.

Police said the driver responsible had alcohol in his system and a long record of drunk driving, but he walked away with nothing more than a speeding ticket.

The view from CBS Skywatch following the crashshowed a crumpled heap of twisted metal. A car that belonged to 76-year-old Bernice Pawilan.

On June 7, 2024, the Wisconsin driver of a Ford 150 slammed into it at 78 miles per hour. Pawilan did not survive. Three other people were also hurt in that crash.

Neighbors said she lived pretty “off the grid,” but the Ingleside woman was remembered fondly by her coworkers at Lambs Farm, a non-profit that helps adults with developmental disabilities.

“We continue to feel the loss to this day. She was an energetic, warm woman who contributed greatly to our mission. We miss her very much.”

“Her life mattered, and he’s had all of this history,” said Sheila Lockwood.

Lockwood is a national ambassador for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She’s talking about the driver who caused the crash. He is not being named because he hasn’t been charged with a crime. But Lockwood and many others believe he should have been.

“And Bernice deserves all of us to be fighting for her and what’s right,” she said.

CBS News Chicago found that the Wisconsin driver had already been labeled a habitual traffic offender—after three drunk driving convictions in 2007 and 2008, plus two cases of trying to flee police. His license was revoked for five years.

Even after getting it back, the problems didn’t stop. He kept getting pulled over for inattentive driving.

In 2018, he crashed into another car while his three-year-old son was in the back seat.

So when he slammed into Pawilan’s car on I-294, he was driving under a strict restriction — his blood alcohol level could not be higher than 0.02.

When troopers arrived, he refused a DUI kit at the scene. He told police he’d had “less than 12 Busch Light beers” the night before.

Medical records showed his blood alcohol level was 0.076 after his blood was drawn at the hospital. Only after being told his license would be suspended for refusing the test did he suddenly “change his mind.”

Six hours after the crash, he took the official test. That one showed no alcohol in his system.

So how was he able to change his mind?

It was found that in Illinois, there is no legal time limit for when a driver has to take an alcohol test after a crash.

Other states draw a clear line. Iowa, Connecticut, and Colorado require testing within two hours of the incident. Wisconsin allows up to three. But in Illinois, there’s no deadline at all.

State police said they submitted the hospital blood draw, showing a blood alcohol level of 0.076, to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office when they asked for criminal charges, which were denied.

“You have the absolute right to refuse a breathalyzer test, period,” CBS Chicago Legal Analyst Irv Miller.

Miller said a driver can change his or her mind, but it would ultimately be up to a judge to decide whether to allow it.

“Some judges will say, ‘Wait, I’m not going to buy it. You said no, no is no.’ Other judges are going to say, ‘Wait a second. You know, you changed your mind? Fine. So you can keep your driver’s license.’ It, it’s a judicial one-by-one, depending on who the judge is, but it’s not a statutory requirement,” Miller said.

He said the driver being just four one-thousandths of a point below the legal limit makes all the difference. Legally, it means he was not considered under the influence.

But that’s not the whole story.

The driver still violated the strict blood-alcohol restriction on his license.

Here’s where this case gets even messier.

That violation should have triggered a license revocation, but it was found to have never happened.

A spokesperson for Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation said they were never made aware of the fatal crash.

“It is up to law enforcement and the convicting court in each state to determine what constitutes a violation of a license restriction and what citation is issued,” the spokesperson said.

But Illinois State Police said they don’t have the authority to revoke an out-of-state driver’s license.

So, despite a fatal crash, despite a documented alcohol restriction, and despite a history of dangerous driving, and despite the death of 78-year-old Bernice Pawilan, the driver walked away with a $356 fine.

Why even have these restrictions if there’s no way to follow up?

“Loophole after loophole,” Lockwood said. “Why is he still driving? And does he have children? And, you know, are they at risk? Everybody on the road is at risk.”

And there’s one more twist to the story.

At the time of the crash, the driver wasn’t supposed to be on the road at all. He worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and was scheduled to work remotely from home that day. He was fired as a result. Despite everything that was uncovered, he has continued to hold a valid driver’s license since the crash.

When asked why charges weren’t pursued in the crash or if they still could be considered, a spokesperson for the Cook County State’s Attorneys’ Office said that after a thorough review, “the evidence was insufficient to meet our burden of proof to approve felony charges.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Chicago police officer charged with taking bribes for using his encrypted radio

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By Liz Miller

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — The Illinois Attorney General’s office has charged a Chicago police officer with bribery and misconduct.

Officer Alain Dillon, 37, is accused of accepting multiple $500 payments in exchange for using his encrypted police radio.

Dillon has pleaded not guilty to three counts of bribery, each punishable by up to seven years in prison, and 15 counts of official misconduct, each punishable by up to five years in prison.

“Members of law enforcement are rightfully held to a higher standard, making it especially egregious when an officer breaks the law for their own financial gain,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a news release. “I will continue to partner with local law enforcement to hold accountable those who use their positions of authority to betray the public’s trust.”

The Chicago Police Department investigated the case with the Illinois Attorney General’s office.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Council member apologizes after using racial slur during public meeting

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By Anna McAllister

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — An El Portal council member has apologized to the community after repeatedly using a racial slur during a public meeting last week, prompting strong reactions from residents and village leaders.

During Tuesday night’s council meeting, residents spoke with “passion and concern” as they addressed the council member. He apologized, saying he used the N‑word to “express how other people speak,” but residents said the explanation was inappropriate and unacceptable.

Remarks spark immediate backlash The controversy began at the end of a planning and zoning meeting last Thursday, when the council member raised concerns about Border Patrol agents stopping people in the community. While recounting the incident, he used the slur twice and made additional inflammatory comments about voters and law enforcement. The vice mayor responded in the moment, calling the word “grossly offensive” and saying, “as a white man, you should not be saying the N‑word in any context.”

Council member issues second apology Five days later, the council member apologized again, telling residents, “All slurs should be globally buried. I acknowledge and understand that the word I used, no matter the context, is beyond offensive and even traumatizing. None of this excuses my choice to use the word, I am sorry.”

Some residents condemned the remarks as “offensive and vile,” while others said they appreciated the council member’s tone and willingness to take responsibility. One woman hugged him after the meeting, telling him, “Sometimes you’re the only one standing up for us.”

NAACP weighs in on language

Before the meeting, the president of the NAACP Miami‑Dade Branch said the council member could have expressed his concerns without using slurs. “Those words do not have to be used against anyone,” she said.

Some residents said any disciplinary action should be left to the village. After the meeting, the council member told CBS News Miami he wants to focus on repairing the relationships he has damaged.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

What happens if someone moves your space saver in Boston? Not everyone is following “snow etiquette” after storm.

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A time-honored tradition has returned to Boston as a major snowstorm brings back space savers. The city permits people in all but two neighborhoods to leave an object in a parking space that they shovel out. The question becomes, what happens when someone doesn’t follow these rules and takes the spot?

“If I came back in an hour, when I was done with this, and someone parked in my spot? I probably would fill their car up with snow, so they would have to dig it out,” said Allston resident Patrick Farrell.

Space savers are allowed for 48 hours after the end of a snow emergency. Only the South End and Bay Village forbid savers due to neighborhood rules, nonetheless, someone attempted to use a space saver in that area with a note posted on the chair that threatened to smash the driver’s windows if they took the spot.

Kylie Furber is a nurse at a local hospital who lives in Allston. She thought her spot was saved, so she could get back to work.

“I came home around 8:15 and then found my chair moved, folded up right there and someone parked in my spot,” said Furber. “I feel like there is snow etiquette around here in the city that you just don’t move it.”

Furber took her frustration to social media. Quickly, her neighbors were ready to retaliate on her behalf.

Kylie Furber is a nurse at a local hospital who lives in Allston. She thought her spot was saved, so she could get back to work.

“I came home around 8:15 and then found my chair moved, folded up right there and someone parked in my spot,” said Furber. “I feel like there is snow etiquette around here in the city that you just don’t move it.”

Furber took her frustration to social media. Quickly, her neighbors were ready to retaliate on her behalf.

“If there is something there, I am not touching it. I don’t want to deal with who is going to come running off of their porch or whatever,” said Farrell.

“I would just go find another spot. I don’t pick fights,” said Allston resident Maureen Prassas. “You aren’t supposed to take someone’s spot if they have a space saver.”

So, what can people do beyond contacting 311? Can action be taken, or are you out of luck? WBZ reached out to the city for an answer. They are working on our request, and once they give WBZ an answer, we will update the information.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Parking space savers in snow not allowed on Baltimore streets, mayor says

CNN Newsource on January 28, 2026

By Ashley Paul

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says reserving shoveled parking spaces across the city won’t be tolerated.

On Hanover Street in Federal Hill, residents are using cones, chairs, and even boxes to reserve the parking spaces they cleared of snow.

“If you put a lawn chair out there, and I see it, it’s going away,” Scott said. “But if you’re doing that, take the next step. If you have an elderly neighbor, dig their spot out too. Don’t just dig yours out.”

Sunday’s winter storm dumped up to eight inches of snow in Baltimore City, leaving many cars trapped in parking spaces, and drivers shoveling them out.

Federal Hill residents say they spent hours digging out their parking space, and they’re not going to give it up without a fight.

“My theory is, you’re out here four or five hours, who knows how long, you shovel it, you put something there, that’s your spot,” said Federal Hill resident Joe Stebbings.

It’s not legal, but residents are still trying to reserve their spots.

“It would be nice to know that the spot is there, but I feel like we’ve all kind of have to do our part and obey the law,” said Andrew Adair, who spent hours Tuesday morning clearing out his parking space.

Baltimore City opened parking garages for residents to park for free during the storm, which helps snowplow drivers, including Lisa Bess.

Bess said blocking in parking spots is inevitable.

“We can’t avoid that,” Bess said. “Because if we’re plowing the snow, it’s got to go over. So the residents have to shovel themselves out. That’s a situation that is unavoidable.”

When push comes to shove, residents feel like they are left with no other choice than to reserve the spots they worked hard to dig out.

“Some people might have an emergency, have to pick up a kid or something like that and come back,” Stebbings said. “Don’t make them walk in this stuff. I don’t believe in it, it’s wrong.”

The free parking in Baltimore City lots ends at p .m. on Tuesday, but still, parking is limited in the city.

WJZ asked Baltimore’s Department of Transportation what responsibilities fall on the city versus the residents in situations like this one, but they have yet to reply.

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Video shows Alhambra police helping Border Patrol, activists say. Protesters want answers from city

CNN Newsource on January 27, 2026

By Liz Nagy

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    ALHAMBRA, Calif. (KABC) — Hundreds of people packed the Alhambra City Council meeting Monday as residents demanded answers about a viral video that raised questions about possible cooperation between Alhambra police and U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Angie Vargas said last Monday she was following who she believed were federal immigration agents when an Alhambra police SUV abruptly cut her off.

In cellphone video recorded by Vargas, she can be heard asking police if they were cooperating with the federal agents.

After a brief exchange with Alhambra officers, masked federal agents approached Vargas and questioned her.

“What country are you a citizen of?” one agent is heard asking Vargas in the video.

Vargas responded she is a U.S. citizen.

As the video spread across social media, Alhambra police issued a statement addressing the encounter.

“… Our officers responded to a call for service regarding a vehicle being followed by another vehicle that was running red lights and making illegal U-turns… Officers parked their vehicle in between both parties to help with de-escalating the situation,” the statement released last week said.

“Officers assisted with keeping the peace and confirmed no immigration enforcement was taking place at the scene. Shortly after PD arrival, both parties went their separate ways.”

Vargas’ footage of the interaction sparked strong reactions online and set the stage for a fiery council meeting, with some residents accusing local police of aiding Border Patrol agents.

Protesters flooded the council chambers, hallway and lobby of Alhambra City Hall in support of Vargas and to criticize federal immigration enforcement activity in the city.

“I was appalled and disgusted to see the video of Angie Vargas being pulled over. Her constitutional rights being violated and then being lied to by several members of the Alhambra Police Department,” one speaker said during the public comment period.

Luis Carrillo, Vargas’ attorney, called for an internal affairs investigation.

Mayor Jeff Maloney attempted to calm the crowd, promising the incident is subject to review and noting that no arrests were made.

“Fortunately, after less than five minutes the situation ended and people went on their way,” Maloney said at the meeting.

The explanation did little to ease tensions.

At one point during the meeting, residents began to chant “shame.”

“This is enough. My people need to be heard,” Vargas said outside City Hall. “We need to be protected, and they need to protect our community members and not these federal agents.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Homeowner opens fire on burglary suspects in Studio City, forcing them to flee, LAPD says

CNN Newsource on January 27, 2026

By Carley Gomez

Click here for updates on this story

    STUDIO CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A homeowner opened fire on burglary suspects Tuesday morning in Studio City, prompting the alleged intruders to flee, authorities said.

The confrontation occurred at 4:40 a.m. at a multi-level house in the 11600 block of Laurelcrest Drive, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said. The home is in a hilltop neighborhood between Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards.

Whether any of the alleged intruders were struck by gunfire was unclear. Described only as two males in gray hoodies, they fled the scene in a black Chevy Traverse SUV, according to the LAPD.

Officers responded to the scene and were investigating whether anything was stolen.

A homeowner opened fire on burglary suspects Tuesday morning in Studio City, prompting the alleged intruders to flee, authorities said.

The confrontation occurred at 4:40 a.m. at a multi-level house in the 11600 block of Laurelcrest Drive, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said. The home is in a hilltop neighborhood between Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards.

Whether any of the alleged intruders were struck by gunfire was unclear. Described only as two males in gray hoodies, they fled the scene in a black Chevy Traverse SUV, according to the LAPD.

Officers responded to the scene and were investigating whether anything was stolen.

Neighbors alarmed Diana, who lives across from the home, spoke with Eyewitness News and said she was awakened by the sound of a running car and alerted her husband, who went outside to investigate.

“He came back out, got very close to them, took a picture of their plate, the back end of the car, and still, that didn’t seem to change anything,” she said.

Moments later, Diana said she heard a gunshot followed by the sound of people running.

“[They] get into the car, car door slams, the alarm went off on the house at that point, and the car just sped off,” she said.

Diana said she called 911 and was able to identify the vehicle involved but could not describe the suspects. Some residents said the incident underscores growing concerns about neighborhood crime.

“This city has gotten so dangerous as you know, if you live here. Crime is out of control,” neighbor Dave White said.

Others said they were surprised by the boldness of the suspects, especially with people awake in nearby homes.

Neighbor Jaimie Joseph said that the situation highlights the need for more community involvement.

“It could happen wherever you move, so it really just makes me think of, like, you know, what’s happening? Maybe there needs to be more that we do like in the neighborhood watch,” she said.

Despite living in what she described as a peaceful area, Diana said the incident highlights a vulnerability.

“Quiet neighborhood, but sometimes that is not a good thing,” she said.

Meantime, police said the homeowner was not injured.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Mother arrested after video shows toddler fall out of moving SUV in Fullerton

CNN Newsource on January 27, 2026

By KABC Staff

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    FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) — A mother has been arrested after her 19-month-old child tumbled out of her SUV while she was driving in Fullerton, according to police.

Shocking video shows the moment the child fell from the vehicle.

The video shows the SUV making a left turn at the intersection of N. Euclid Street and W. Malvern Avenue. That’s when the front passenger door opens, and the toddler falls to the ground.

The SUV immediately stopped, nearly causing a crash with the car behind it, according to Fullerton police.

The video then shows a woman get out of the driver’s side of the SUV and pick up the child before she gets back into the vehicle and drives away.

According to Fullerton police, a witness came forward on Jan. 24, reported seeing the incident on Jan. 20, and was able to provide identifying information related to the vehicle involved.

Investigators later located the vehicle, the child and the woman involved at a residence in La Habra. Jacqueline Marie Hernandez, 35, was taken into custody on suspicion of child abuse.

Police said the 19-month-old child sustained injuries consistent with the fall and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. The toddler is expected to make a full recovery.

The incident remains under investigation.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.