A two-year-old Alaska girl has been left orphaned after surviving a head-on crash that claimed the lives of both her parents.

Sasha Hart, 38, and her husband, David Hart, 41, were driving along the Parks Highway near milepost 115 in Trapper Creek, Alaska, when the fatal collision occurred at about 9am on October 19.

Their daughter, Paige, survived the crash but sustained six broken bones.

‘Troopers responded and a preliminary investigation revealed that a black 2018 Subaru Forester operated by 38-year-old Fairbanks resident Sasha Hart was traveling south on the Parks Highway and crossed the center line, colliding head-on with a white 2008 Ford F-250, which was traveling north,’ Alaska Department of Public Safety wrote in a dispatch report.

The Hart family has called Paige’s survival a ‘miracle,’ according to KTUU, as the toddler continues recovering from her injuries. Paige was transferred from Mat-Su hospital in Anchorage for further treatment and is now in stable condition.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Alaska Department of Public Safety for further information while the investigation continues.

Shery Elterman-Hart, David’s sister, told the outlet that the couple had celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary shortly before the devastating crash.

She said Sasha and David had created a family life that brought together Sasha’s Jamaican heritage and David’s Alaskan roots.

Speaking about Sasha, Elterman-Hart told the outlet: ‘She just became one of us. We were really close with David before they met, but then when she came, she just sort of lumped right in.’

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David’s other sister, Katie Ragsdale, said the couple cherished their role as parents and loved raising Paige.

‘She was their entire world. I don’t know if it’s Paige’s house or their house,’ Ragsdale joked to the outlet.

Relatives said Paige’s personality, expressions and love of sweets all remind them of her parents.

‘You still have a piece of them, a living piece of them still on Earth,’ Ragsdale told the outlet.

The Hart family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Paige’s medical costs and other needs. Elterman-Hart plans to help raise the orphaned toddler alongside her own children.

‘As Shery rushes to be with Paige, traveling to Anchorage with her husband and their two boys, the family is being asked to carry an overwhelming amount of grief, uncertainty, and urgent need all at once,’ the fundraiser description stated.

‘My heart is broken, David and Sasha were amazing parents who impacted so many. I worked with David for years and Sasha was such a light with the biggest smile every time I saw her. This tragedy is so unfair,’ a friend of David’s wrote in a Facebook post.

The Hart family has raised close to $30,000 of their $35,000 goal.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to Shery Elterman-Hart, Sean Elterman and Genevieve Chacho, the fundraiser organizers, for comments. 

California motorists could one day pay a new road charge based on every mile they drive. The system, however, might be designed to calculate mileage without tracking a driver’s location.

The issue returned to the spotlight this week after gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra declined to rule out a mileage-based tax. In an interview, he said “everything was on the table.”

Becerra’s campaign later said he had not put forward a mileage-tax proposal. Still, his remarks left millions of California drivers wondering how Sacramento would measure their mileage — and whether participation would require the state to monitor where they go.

A six-month California pilot project provides an early look at the possible options. Those methods ranged from GPS-enabled devices that record vehicle data to the much simpler approach of submitting a photograph of a car’s odometer.

Caltrans conducted the pilot from August 2024 through January 2025, with 800 participants testing four different methods for reporting how far they drove.

Participants could connect a GPS-equipped device to their vehicles, use a device without GPS, permit their cars’ built-in systems to transmit mileage information or upload odometer photographs.

Sharing location data was optional. That meant drivers could take part without providing a detailed record of their routes or destinations.

GPS devices were selected by roughly 34% of participants, while another 30% chose to submit odometer photos. The rest relied on their vehicles’ onboard systems or devices that did not use GPS.

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The pilot also examined how a mileage-based road charge might affect drivers’ budgets.

Half of the participants paid a flat rate of 2.8 cents per mile. At 10,000 miles, that would amount to $280 before credits. The other half were assigned rates tailored to their vehicles’ federally rated fuel efficiency.

Participants received monthly charges, along with credits or refunds for state gasoline taxes or the electric-vehicle Road Improvement Fee they had already paid during the trial.

The pilot was created under Senate Bill 339, introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2021. The law ordered California to explore mileage-based road charges as declining gas-tax revenue threatens a traditional source of transportation funding.

Even though no statewide program has been approved, the prospect of another charge on drivers has quickly become a political flashpoint.

Republican gubernatorial challenger Steve Hilton has promised to veto a mileage tax if voters elect him.

“They never stop gouging you,” Hilton told The California Post.

Assembly Republican leader Alexandra Macedo likewise criticized the proposal, saying a mileage charge would place an especially heavy burden on working Californians.

“They say they want to tax billionaires and then they’re talking about a mileage tax that hits the working class the hardest,” she told The Post.

For now, California has not approved a statewide mileage tax.

New court filings reportedly show Shili Chen blaming her husband for the alleged killing of their transgender son-in-law, a New York Times executive, about a month after the couple’s arrest.

Chen, 77, and Shouyong Zhang were taken into custody Sept. 26 in connection with the fatal shooting of Jonathan McKinsey, 40, at a busy park in Dublin, California.

According to a bail motion cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, Chen’s attorneys say she remained inside the couple’s vehicle and watched Zhang fire the shots that killed McKinsey at the Dublin Sports Grounds.

Chen’s attorney, Curtis Briggs, said she left the car only “to protect her husband from what she feared was an assault by Mr. McKinsey,” according to the California Post.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Chen later firing at McKinsey, after Zhang had already shot him.

Her legal team contends that Zhang planned the killing without informing Chen, leaving her “in the dark” about his intentions.

Court documents obtained by News Media reportedly state that Zhang acknowledged the shooting days later, after investigators showed him video of the attack.

Zhang told police that he asked Chen to drive him to the park but did not tell her the reason for the trip, the Chronicle reported.

Prosecutors allege the couple waited at the park for McKinsey before opening fire. Briggs disputes that claim, arguing that the evidence does not establish they were “lying in wait.”

That alleged special circumstance has been cited as the reason Chen and Zhang remain jailed without bail.

Both defendants are seeking release while they await trial.

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In a separate court filing, Zhang’s public defender argued that the 77-year-old does not present a danger because of his age and medical condition, describing the shooting as an isolated family dispute.

Chen’s attorney also argued that she was not the “actual killer,” maintaining that McKinsey had already died when she allegedly shot him.

Multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunshots at the Dublin Sports Grounds. A Dublin Police Services sergeant arrived to find McKinsey on his back with several gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses directed officers toward a black Honda Civic departing the parking lot, court filings say. Police later carried out a high-risk traffic stop nearby.

Chen was behind the wheel and allegedly possessed a firearm when officers detained the pair. Zhang was seated in the passenger seat.

Three witnesses identified Chen and Zhang as the shooters, while surveillance footage allegedly showed them firing at McKinsey “in concert.”

Police said the couple started shooting in a crowded park’s parking lot with “blatant disregard for public safety,” even as several children were nearby.

Police later searched the Honda and recovered a second firearm that Zhang allegedly admitted using in the shooting.

The complaint alleges the killing involved “great violence” and acts showing a “high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness.” Prosecutors also allege both defendants were armed or used a weapon during the killing.

McKinsey’s killing came amid a bitter divorce and custody battle with Chen and Zhang’s daughter, Candice Jang.

McKinsey accused Chen of directing anti-LGBTQ slurs at him and one of his children and alleged Zhang struck him in the chest while he was recovering from double mastectomy surgery, The Mercury News reported. Jang made competing allegations of domestic violence and child abuse against McKinsey, which he disputed.

News Media reviewed court dockets showing McKinsey and Jang were locked in multiple legal battles when McKinsey was killed, including competing domestic violence restraining order cases, a child custody dispute and a pending divorce.

Jang sought a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025, while McKinsey filed his own request two months later. The competing domestic violence matters were headed toward a three-day hearing in December.

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Miguel Salguero Olivares, who was convicted in the killing of University of North Carolina student Faith Hedgepeth and sentenced to life in prison, filed a notice of appeal Friday, according to the court’s electronic docket.

Salguero Olivares, 33, received a sentence of life without parole after a jury found him guilty Oct. 23 of first-degree murder and three additional charges.

In closing arguments, prosecutors said Olivares left DNA evidence throughout the crime scene, describing it as being spread “like confetti.”

Several jurors told ABC11 exclusively this week that the DNA evidence played a decisive role in their guilty verdict.

Olivares did not take the stand, and his defense attorneys presented no witnesses before resting their case. Jurors deliberated for six hours over two days before convicting him of murder, rape, sexual offense and burglary.

The prosecution called nearly two dozen witnesses, including crime scene technicians, state and local law enforcement officers, a DNA specialist and friends of Hedgepeth.

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Hedgepeth was 19 and a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill when she was beaten to death inside her off-campus apartment in September 2012.

Nine years later, Salguero Olivares was arrested after being stopped for driving while impaired. Prosecutors said a DNA sample collected during that encounter matched evidence recovered from the crime scene.

After the conviction, officials held a news conference Oct. 23 at the Durham County Courthouse. Participants included Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry, members of the prosecution team, the Chapel Hill police chief and members of Hedgepeth’s family.

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A Red Baron worker who was ridiculed by an influencer in a viral prank video has shared an emotional message of thanks after supporters raised more than $600,000 for him.

Walt Z was stocking shelves at a Michigan grocery store when he became the target of a cruel online prank. The footage was originally uploaded in August to a page that has since been deleted, but recently resurfaced and spread rapidly across social media.

In the clip, a streamer walked up to Walt and asked what time it was. When Walt took out his phone to check, the person filming played the Apple Pay notification sound on his own device, pretending he had taken money from the worker.

The father of four initially kept his composure and asked the prankster to leave him alone. As the confrontation continued, however, Walt explained that the stunt was not funny to him. He said he worked hard to support his family and simply wanted to finish his shift and go home.

The resurfaced video prompted widespread outrage, while thousands of viewers responded by showing their support financially.

Luke Oakenshield, one viewer who was deeply affected by the encounter, launched a GoFundMe campaign on Tuesday. The fundraiser states that donations will go directly to Walt.

By Friday evening, the GoFundMe had collected more than $585,000 for Walt. A separate GiveSendGo fundraiser had also received more than $14,200, bringing the total public support to over $600,000.

Walt later posted a heartfelt message on GoFundMe, writing: “I wanted to take a moment to personally thank everyone who has donated, shared this fundraiser, or left a kind message. The kindness and encouragement you’ve shown me and my family have meant more than I can put into words.”

“My family and I are doing well, and I’m grateful to have supportive people around me. I’ve been keeping things private to protect my family’s privacy, and I appreciate everyone respecting that.”

“I’ve also received a lot of interview requests. Being in the spotlight isn’t something I would normally seek out, but I’m considering sharing my story. Before making that decision, I want to make sure it’s with people who will treat me and my family with care and respect our privacy.”

“Please know that even if I haven’t responded to your message or comment, your support has made a difference. From me and my family, thank you.”

After the influencer pretended to take money from him, Walt warned the person behind the camera: “Don’t mess with me right now.”

Despite Walt’s request, the person filming continued to taunt him in an apparent attempt to provoke a stronger reaction.

When Walt became visibly upset, the prankster told him to calm down and insisted that it was “just a joke.”

Walt rejected that explanation, saying: “It’s not a joke to me… My life is hard enough as it is.” His voice began to shake as he added: “I got kids at home that went to bed without me. I was supposed to be at home an hour ago, and I’m still out here working!”

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He then raised his voice and said: “And I gotta get up at five in the morning and do 10 more stores! So this is not a joke to me!”

‘And now I’m probably gonna get kicked out of the store because of you,’ he then said before the person recording replied: ‘Okay, I’m sorry.’

‘No, you’re not sorry because you’ve got a smug look on your face,’ Walt said. ‘You’re probably making money off this! I can’t even pay my goddamn mortgage, and I got four kids at home!’

People online overwhelmingly responded with sympathy for the hardworking father and called out the prankster, with many calling him a ‘wannabe influencer’ and a ‘punk.’ 

Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for Governor of Ohio, also shared his support for Walt. 

He and his wife, Apoorva, donated a whopping $38,000 to the GoFundMe, and Vivek posted a video on X about him standing with the employee. 

‘Hey Walt, I just want to tell you, we got your back. You’re brave and you speak for millions of Americans across this country, including in my home state of Ohio. 

‘In your honor, we’ve got Red Barron pizza on our bus tour today. This one’s for you Walt, we got your back,’ the politician said as he held up frozen pizzas. 

A spokesperson for Red Baron’s parent company, CJ Schwan’s, told the New York Post: ‘We are aware of the video circulating on social media involving one of our Direct Store Delivery employees during an incident that occurred in August.

‘Following the incident, we connected directly with our team member to check on his well-being, and we continue to offer our support. We are pleased to share that he is doing well and remains a valued member of our team.’ 

A California physician who defrauded Medicare of more than $45 million to finance lavish trips, high-end vehicles and a $12,000 antique crossbow has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

Violetta Mailyan, 45, of Glendale, was convicted of orchestrating a sweeping scheme through her Healthy Way Medical Center clinic. Prosecutors said she filed false Medicare claims for Botox injections that were medically unwarranted, cosmetic in nature or never administered.

The case involved far more than fabricated billing records. Mailyan allegedly sought reimbursement for procedures listed on days when the clinic was closed—and on dates when she was out of the country or vacationing elsewhere.

Trial evidence showed that claims totaling more than $19 million described Botox injections that were supposedly carried out while the medical center was not operating.

Other fraudulent claims were submitted while Mailyan was traveling in Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania and New York, according to prosecutors.

In one striking instance, she billed Medicare for more than $200,000 in treatments allegedly provided to California patients while she was actually vacationing on a beach in Cabo.

Medicare covers Botox injections only when they are medically necessary for patients with documented chronic migraines.

Prosecutors said Mailyan exploited that coverage by billing for thousands of injections that did not take place, were performed solely for cosmetic reasons or involved patients who had not received the required primary-care referrals for chronic migraine treatment.

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The proceeds, authorities said, fueled an extravagant spending spree.

Among the purchases were a 17th-century crossbow valued at $12,000 and a $3,000 painting.

Jurors also determined that Mailyan used the fraud proceeds to purchase two Tesla vehicles, including a Cybertruck, as well as five California properties.

The sentencing judge condemned the scheme as “truly breathtaking in scope and shocking in its duration,” calling Mailyan’s conduct “almost unbelievable in their brazenness.”

The financial penalties were equally significant. The court ordered the immediate forfeiture of more than $16 million in seized assets, including real estate, personal belongings, securities and funds held in bank accounts. The assets will be returned to the United States.

Mailyan must also pay Medicare $32,904,049.41 in restitution. Federal officials said they will continue pursuing the recovery of additional stolen funds.

Her conviction came after a six-day federal jury trial that concluded in May 2026.

Jurors found Mailyan guilty of nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstructing a criminal investigation tied to a health care offense.

A Silver Rail Elementary School teacher who confronted a teenage shooter during the deadly attack earlier this month has spoken publicly for the first time, saying the tragedy is a loss she will carry for the rest of her life.

Cassidy Schutz, a certified learning specialist at the Bend school, issued her statement Friday through Bend-La Pine Schools. Her remarks came more than two weeks after the Oct. 15 shooting, which claimed the lives of three children and teacher Megan Lambert.

“There are no words to describe the depth of sadness I am feeling following the events of October 15th. This is not a story. This is a horrific and heartbreaking tragedy, and it is our real lives,” Schutz said in the statement.

“My thoughts are with those who were lost, their families, those who were hurt, and those who were there that day. My heart is with you. It all happened so fast, and I wish with everything in me that we had more time. The pain of this loss I will carry with me forever.”

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz previously said Schutz helped confront the attacker by throwing her cellphone at him and grappling with him for control of his shotgun.

Schutz also requested privacy while she works through the aftermath of the shooting.

“There are no words for this unimaginable reality we are facing. My focus is on these families, our team, our school, and my own healing,” she said. “As I continue to navigate this, I ask that you please give me the time, space, and privacy I need to heal. I will not be making any additional public statements at this time.”

Police said the attack began when a 16-year-old former student entered the elementary school and opened fire in a classroom for children with special needs.

Lambert, 25, died alongside three students: 5-year-old Rhoam Summer and two other children, ages 8 and 11.

A second teacher, Becky Drury, and a 7-year-old girl were also shot but survived.

Drury previously told News Media that she saw the gunman and attempted to shut her classroom door, but he shot her before she could keep him out.

After sustaining serious injuries to both arms, Drury pretended to be dead in an effort to avoid further gunfire. The attacker was ultimately killed by Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father who intervened at the school.