High school quarterback dies from brain injury in freak accident: 'Our hope is that God will be glorified through our story'



An Alabama high school quarterback died suddenly after suffering from a traumatic brain injury during the season-opening game on Friday night, according to multiple reports.

John T. Morgan Academy’s first game of the 2024 season was held on Friday against visiting Southern Academy in Selma, Alabama.

'My son was an exceptional athlete. But the thing he loved the most was to talk about Jesus.'

Caden Tellier, a 16-year-old junior, was the quarterback for John T. Morgan Academy. During the third quarter of the game, Tellier suffered an injury from a freak accident.

The Alabama Independent School Association executive director Michael McLendon said those in the crowd watching the game "likely did not witness anything unusual" in the heartbreaking last play that he described as "routine."

McLendon said, "While we may not know the full story for some time, initial reports are that Caden likely suffered a ruptured blood vessel in his brain following a routine play in which he was tackled and made contact with the ground."

Tellier was taken off the field and airlifted to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital in critical condition.

McLendon told CNN that it could be "quite some time before we have more information about the injury and overall incident."

Caden's parents — Arsella Slagel Tellier and Jamie Tellier — revealed that their son had passed away in a Facebook post shared on Saturday.

Our boy, Caden Tellier has met Jesus face to face. We appreciate all of your prayers and we covet them for the hard days ahead. Everyone who knows Caden has known kindness, generosity, and love, and true to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time. Lives have been touched by the way he lived and now lives will be saved through his passing. We will walk out these next few days alongside him in his earthly body knowing that his spirit is rejoicing in heaven.

The grieving parents provided an update on social media on Tuesday morning, where they thanked the medical staff who cared for Caden. The heartbroken parents also revealed that Caden was an organ donor and "his final wish to give the gift of organ donation" was realized.

"Caden is still fighting hard in his earthly body as he prepares for this final act of generosity to bring new life to others," the parents said. "We continue to pray for those whose lives will be forever changed by his gifts."

The parents added, "Our hope is that God will be glorified through our story. His love will be evident, and that Caden’s impact will touch the lives of many."

Caden's father, Jamie Tellier, said, "I could tell you a lot about who my son was, who my son is. My son was an exceptional athlete. But the thing he loved the most was to talk about Jesus."

The parents were "overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity from our friends, community, and even those who have never met us in person."

'His legacy will live on and we thank God that we had the opportunity to love him and be loved by him.'

Dr. Bryan Oliver — the headmaster of John T. Morgan Academy — said in a statement on social media:

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy. He was a student, a friend, an athlete, and most important, a Christ follower. There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family. We will come together and support Jamie, Arsella and Lyla with our whole hearts. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Tellier’s extended family as well. I want to thank all the schools and individuals that have reached out during this difficult time. Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.

Oliver stated that the school would cancel all athletic activities for the next week because of the sudden death tragedy.

Nearby Hooper Academy quoted the Psalms 147:3 Bible verse in a Facebook post: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

“Hooper Academy extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the family of Caden Tellier, a standout student-athlete at Morgan Academy who tragically lost his life after an injury Friday night," the school stated. "The AISA is truly a family, and we will stand in the gap in prayer for his friends, loved ones, and the entire student body of MAS in the days and weeks to come."

Auburn University football coach Hugh Freeze said at a press conference on Monday, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Caden Tellier over at Morgan Academy in Selma, and Coach (Jacob) Webb as they deal with the tragic loss of one of their teammates and a son. I just can’t imagine the difficulty that they’re going through. So our thoughts and prayers are with them."

Tellier threw a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown in the first half before his injury, according to the Selma Times-Journal.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover medical and funeral expenses for the family. At the time of publication the crowdfunding campaign had raised more than $100,000.

"Caden is best known for his kindness, generosity, and love," the GoFundMe listing read. "True to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time to save the lives of others through the donation of his organs. His legacy will live on and we thank God that we had the opportunity to love him and be loved by him.

Alabama High School Athletic Association medical director James Robinson said football is "still safe."

Robinson told AL.com, "If you look at the data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, you will see that death rates remain at a fairly stable level. In 2023, there were 16 deaths at all levels. Ten were medically related, three were traumatic and three were not football-related or unknown. At the high school level, four were medically related and three were related to traumatic head injuries. This is out of 4.2 million participants at all levels."

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New York man arrested by arson bomb squad for giving 11-year-old son fireworks that set houses on fire



A New York man was arrested by an arson bomb squad for giving his 11-year-old son a firework that set two houses on fire, according to authorities.

According to a press release from the Nassau County Police Department, officers responded around 8:50 a.m. on the 4th of July to reports of a house fire in Levittown, New York.

Police determined that a 33-year-old father gave his 11-year-old son a firework and instructed him to light it. The explosive allegedly malfunctioned and soared into a nearby shed, which caused it to go up in flames.

The blaze in Long Island quickly spread to the defendant's home and then to a neighbor's house.

A single mother renting part of the first home to catch fire was reportedly forced to flee for her life from the burning house.

The Wantagh Fire Department responded and was able to extinguish the fires. However, both homes suffered extensive damage. No injuries were reported.

The Nassau County’s Arson Bomb Squad was also called to the scene and arrested Karamjit Singh without incident.

Singh was charged with second-degree arson, fourth-degree reckless endangerment, unlawfully selling of fireworks to someone under 18, unlawfully possessing fireworks, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Singh was released from jail without bail on Friday after pleading not guilty at his arraignment.

Singh's son was allegedly released to a family member.

Nassau County Fire Marshals launched an investigation into the fiery fireworks accident.

In nearby Suffolk County, a 21-year-old man reportedly severed three fingers on his left hand, damaged two fingers, and suffered burns on his leg in a fireworks accident on July 4th.

A 66-year-old Long Island man from Brentwood lost a hand and several fingers of his second hand after a fireworks explosion on Saturday night, according to WNBC.

As Blaze News previously reported, a South Carolina man was killed after putting a lit firework on top of his head while "showboating" during a 4th of July neighborhood block party. Video caught the last moments of the 41-year-old man's life as he was dancing in an Uncle Sam costume before his tragic, sudden death.

Blaze News also reported on a fatal fireworks accident on Independence Day in Tennessee. A 35-year-old man suffered a large chest wound and died after a firework exploded in his hands.

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Tragic video shows last moments of South Carolina man in Uncle Sam costume who died after placing large firework on head



A South Carolina man died suddenly on the 4th of July after placing a large firework on his head. Video shows the final moments of the man dressed in an Uncle Sam costume who was killed by the explosion.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Allen Ray McGrew was enjoying the 4th of July festivities at a local neighborhood block party in Summerville, about 35 minutes north of Charleston.

The 41-year-old father had allegedly been drinking that day and placed a large firework on his head. His wife initially thought he was merely posing with the firework in an attempt to entertain onlookers.

"He was holding this firework over his top hat. I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it," McGrew's wife told the New York Post.

The firework exploded on McGrew's head and he was said to have died instantly from the injuries from the explosion.

The last moments of McGrew's life were caught on video and posted on social media. The video shows McGrew dressed in an Uncle Sam costume and dancing in a yard.

Allen's wife, Paige McGrew, told the Post and Courier that he was a "patriot" who loved Independence Day and was excited over the recent marriage engagement of his son.

"He was a patriot; he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night," Paige explained.

She recalled the moments before his sudden death, "Just before the incident happened, he hugged me and his son and said ‘You are my rock, and you are my heart. Me being his rock and his son being his heart."

McGrew was described as a kind neighbor who regularly mowed the lawns of about five neighbors.

A neighbor said of Allen, "He was the nicest guy. He was the kind of guy you want for a neighbor."

Another man died from a fireworks accident on July 4th in Greenback, Tennessee.

The man – 35-year-old Matthew Sellars – was reportedly holding a lit firework in his hand when it exploded and caused a large chest wound around 10 p.m. on Thursday.

"I saw a large hole in Mr. Sellars' chest and a cut on his right hand. Mr. Sellars was pronounced deceased at 2230 hours and was transported to Blount Memorial Hospital by AMR," the incident report from the Blount County Sheriff's Office read.

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Oregon woman, 24, killed in freak boating accident, family blames 'reckless' driver for her death: 'No simple accident'



A young Oregon woman died after a crazy freak accident while boating, according to officials.

The odd news emerged just before 8 p.m. on June 22 that a young woman had been severely injured in a boating accident.

Kaileigh Seidel – who was riding on an inflatable device towed by boat – reportedly begged the driver of the boat to slow down. The boat driver allegedly continued to drive the vessel in a zig-zagging motion despite her requests to be more careful.

During the boating adventure, there was reportedly a tubing accident near the Hawthorne Bridge on the Willamette River in Oregon.

The victim was allegedly flung into another boat, according to witnesses.

"The driver who was driving very fast and recklessly, he just drove her into another boat. She hit the boat, and she died immediately, to my knowledge," said Aliyah Seidel – Kaileigh’s younger sister.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office informed Fox News that a 911 caller "reported that they had witnessed a woman getting struck by another boat."

The sheriff's office stated, "The woman was transported to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead after she arrived."

Seidel was rushed to the local hospital after being pulled from the water, but the family told KGW that she most likely died at the scene.

"She was so innocent and taken so violently because of someone else’s decision to be reckless. We definitely feel her not being here. It’s a hole in all of our hearts, it’s so quiet," Aliyah Seidel –Kaileigh's sister – told FOX 12'

Kaileigh's aunt, Rachelle Hunsperger, said, "That just seems so unlike her. She was always like, ‘Let’s go, let’s have fun.’ If she was telling somebody to slow down then she was probably scared. This was no simple accident. I feel that there is somebody definitely at fault and hopefully that comes out."

Aliyah added, "She had a beautiful smile, and she just touched so many lives."

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign had raised over $45,000 by Sunday morning.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol unit is currently investigating Kaileigh's sudden death.

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NJ girl dies in freak badminton accident, 6-year-old asked haunting question about God before death that parents say was a 'gift'



A 6-year-old New Jersey girl has succumbed to her injuries suffered while her family was playing badminton while on vacation in Maine. Weeks before her tragic death, the child asked a haunting question about God, which her parents consider to be a "gift."

Last week, Lucy Morgan and her family were enjoying a summer vacation at an "amazing lake cottage" in Limerick, Maine. Suddenly, the family vacation turned into a complete nightmare on their last full day in Maine.

"We were eating a quick lunch by the lake and the kids decided to try badminton in the front yard," father Jesse Morgan wrote on his New Creation Living blog. "Bethany and I were relaxing in the back when we heard screaming."

Tragically, Lucy was struck in the head with the shaft of the badminton racket that broke while being used by her 10-year-old brother.

He explained, "Due to a freak accident with a racquet that broke on a downward swing, a sharp piece had entered Lucy’s skull while she was sitting on the sideline and caused catastrophic injury. She was still breathing but unresponsive as I held her with Bethany crying out to God."

The young girl was rushed to a local hospital, but her injuries were so severe that she had to be airlifted by helicopter to the Maine Medical Center in Portland.

"Upon arrival she went right to the operating room where they removed part of her skull to relieve pressure and deal with her injury," Jesse said.

Doctors told the father that his daughter had a "very slim chance" of recovery. She reportedly had no brain function and only "occasionally" breathed on her own.

Four days after the freak accident, Lucy Morgan died around 4 a.m. on June 5 after her heart stopped beating.

Lucy is survived by her father, her mother Bethany, a 10-year-old brother, an 8-year-old sister, and a 4-year-old brother.

Jesse Morgan – a pastor at Green Pond Bible Chapel in Rockaway, New Jersey – took solace that his young daughter had a strong faith in religion.

Jesse said of his daughter, "Four weeks ago she asked Bethany how to be with God and be saved. Bethany explained it to her, and Lucy, ‘Miss Independent,’ wanted to do it herself. She went to her room and prayed to God to forgive her and that she believed in Jesus' death and resurrection. What a gift."

Morgan recalled a moment from the last adult Bible class that he taught before his family vacation.

"I've been physically beating my chest asking for faith. I resonate with this quote I referenced in that class," he wrote, then referenced this C.S. Lewis quote: "Knock and it shall be opened.’ But does knocking mean hammering and kicking the door like a maniac?"

The grieving father also quoted Psalm 72:12-14:

For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious in his sight.

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Georgia woman, 21, killed in freak accident after dropping AirPod at golf cart factory



A Georgia woman was killed in a freak accident at a golf cart factory after trying to retrieve an AirPod that she had dropped.

Alyssa Drinkard, 21, was working her shift around 9:45 p.m. on March 8 at the Club Car factory in Evans – a suburb of Augusta, Georgia.

A witness told investigators that Drinkard dropped her AirPod earbud under the conveyor belt. Drinkard reportedly attempted to retrieve the AirPod.

The woman – who was a contracted line worker for Club Car – got caught in the chain that moves the conveyor, according to the witness.

Witness Fae’Zsha Smith said Drinkard "was not able to get her out, so she called for maintenance to come and shut the machine down. They began taking it apart once the machine was down and called 911."

Emergency crews freed Drinkard "by cutting the metal frame from around the conveyor and pulling her out," according to the report.

Drinkard still had a pulse when she was unbound from the machinery. EMS performed life-saving measures before she was rushed to the hospital.

She succumbed to her injuries and died the next morning.

Drinkard had reportedly been working at the factory that manufactures golf carts and commercial utility vehicles for about a year.

Smith said she can't get the images of her coworker being violently mauled at work out of her head.

"I'm kind of traumatized from seeing her that way," Smith said.

Smith has not returned to work since the traumatic accident.

Club Car gave a statement to The Augusta Press:

Friday evening, a contract labor worker experienced a critical injury while working at our main manufacturing facility in Evans. First responders were immediately notified, and we thank them for their quick response to provide medical care and transportation to the hospital where the worker unfortunately later passed away. Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with the family, friends and all impacted by this loss. We are working with authorities and the contractor in an investigation to determine the facts about what led to the incident.

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Deadly accident leaves horrifying memory at Club Car plant www.youtube.com

Mystery man connected to the death of hockey player Adam Johnson arrested on suspicion of manslaughter



A couple of weeks ago, Blaze Media published an article about the tragic death of American hockey player Adam Johnson.

During the Challenge Cup game at the Sheffield Arena in England, an opponent by the name of Matt Petgrave crashed into one of Johnson’s teammates. Their collision was so intense that it caused Petgrave to become airborne and his skate to slice the neck of Johnson, who was nearby.

Johnson was taken to the hospital, where he later died as a result of the injury.

For a while, the media called the incident a “freak accident,” but many people have called for Petgrave’s arrest, claiming he’s guilty of recklessness and therefore manslaughter.

Pat Gray, for one, thinks “it’s pretty clear he did this on purpose,” referencing the way Petgrave seemed to intentionally “donkey kick” his skate as it collided with Johnson’s throat.

However, others have been adamant that the ordeal was a total accident. Petgrave was even given a standing ovation during a recent hockey match.

While it initially seemed like Petgrave’s life would move forward with little consequence, there’s been a strange turn of events.

While British police have refused to say exactly who, they have admitted to arresting a person connected to Johnson’s death on suspicion of manslaughter, but Pat thinks it’s obvious that “they arrested Matt Petgrave.”

However, this mystery man has already been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Pat and co-hosts think there’s a chance this could be a cover-up.


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Portland couple die suddenly in freak accident while bicycling in Napa Valley



An Oregon couple died suddenly in a freak accident while they were bicycling in California's Napa Valley.

Christian and Michelle Deaton, from Portland, went on a bicycle trip in the Napa Valley around 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

A flatbed truck attempted to pass the bicyclists at approximately 40 mph. Lumber in the bed of the 2018 Freightliner shifted and the wood protruded the end of the truck. The lumber reportedly slammed into the married couple of 21 years.

The Napa County Sheriff’s Office said that Christian, 52, died at the scene. Michelle, 48, died later at the hospital.

Police did not identify the truck driver, only saying he is a 55-year-old from Vallejo. The driver stayed on the scene during the investigation, according to police.

Police have not said whether the truck driver faces any criminal charges.

Family and friends of the slain couple described them as adventurous.

"Life was their hobby – there was never a moment where they weren’t going to make the most of it," Cholee Thompson – a friend of Michelle – told The Oregonian.

Elizabeth LeMay – a friend of the couple – added, "They shared so much love for each other. They were a couple you come across once in a lifetime."

"They lived life so big that the hole that they left in all of us is just gaping," said Cholee Thompson – another friend. "The two of them weren’t perfect, and they always strove to be better. But they really were pretty damn close to perfect."

"They had been married over 20 years, but they were a couple that it felt like they had always been together. You know, if you believed in past lives, they were probably together in past lives too because they just had this connection," Thompson said.

Both were executives at Nike.

The couple were reportedly on a two-week vacation with stops in California and Las Vegas.

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Family speaks out after 2 cyclists killed by lumber that fell off truck in Napa County www.youtube.com

New Orleans airport baggage handler dies in freak conveyer belt accident: 'She was my baby girl. Everybody loved her.'



A baggage handler tragically died at a New Orleans airport in a freak conveyor belt accident.

Jermani Thompson – a 26-year-old baggage handler – was unloading luggage from a Frontier Airlines plane parked at the tarmac of the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans around 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday.

Thompson was working for GAT Airline Ground Support when her hair became entangled in the machinery of a belt loader, according to GAT CEO Mike Hough. Thompson's mother said coworkers attempted to cut her daughter's hair to release her, but it was unsuccessful.

Thompson was rushed to a local hospital, but died on the way to the Ochsner Kenner Medical Center.

The fatal freak accident forced Frontier Airlines to cancel a flight on Wednesday.

WDSU spoke to an anonymous coworker of Thompson who claimed that he couldn't get the horrific image out of his head and people can't stop crying about it.

Hough said, "We are heartbroken and are supporting her family and her friends as best as we are able."

"We are deeply saddened about the tragic loss of GAT Airline Ground Support team member," Kevin Dolliole – Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport – told WGNO. "The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport extends its sincere condolences to her family and friends, and also to our partners at GAT and Fontier Airlines. [The victim] was a part of our Airport family, and we will continue to support one another in any way we can during this trying time."

A Frontier Airlines spokesperson told Nola.com in a statement, "We extend our deepest condolences following the tragic death of a member of our ground handling business partner. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Thompson's mother – Angela Dorsey –told Nola.com, "She was my baby girl. Everybody loved her. I'm just lost for words. I can’t even think.”

Her mom said Thompson had a passion for basketball and was a hard worker.

"She loved basketball — that was her thing," said Dorsey.

"She was a basketball guru, [she'd] do anything you ask her to do," Dorsey told WVUE-DT. "I just can’t believe it, you know, my only daughter is gone."

Thompson was a student-athlete at Hesston College in Kansas and Tougaloo College in Mississippi.

Tougaloo College issued a statement on the death of Jermani Thompson:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 We are all heartbroken to learn of the sudden death of Tougaloo Eagle Miss Jermani Thompson, who tragically died on August 30, 2022. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, the Class of 2019, friends, and the College community as we mourn the loss of a spirited, caring, and thoughtful, scholar, athlete, and alumna. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and ask God to give them peace and strength to rely on each other during these difficult times and, more importantly, to rely on God. Proverbs 18:10 tells us, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe."

Baggage handler dies when hair gets stuck in belt loader www.youtube.com

Man tragically dies in freak accident at McDonald’s drive-through



A McDonald's customer was tragically killed Wednesday after a freak accident unfolded at a franchise's drive-through window in Vancouver, Canada, Huff Post reported.

What are the details?

Local authorities said that the accident took place when male victim reportedly opened his door to retrieve his debit card after dropping it from his car window while attempting to pay.

Canada's Global News reported that the victim, Tony Eyles, was a husband and father of two young children, just 6 and 8 years old, and was an elevator technician before his untimely death.

The outlet noted that as Eyles opened the door to his vehicle and leaned out, the car rolled forward, pinning him between the door and the car frame, killing him on the scene.

In a news release detailing the tragedy, Police Constable Tania Visintin said, "Efforts were made by first responders to revive the man, but tragically, he died on scene. This is an absolutely heartbreaking scenario. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of this man."

Visintin added, "Usually when we hear about a fatal motor vehicle accident, it [is] usually, typically a crash with another vehicle. So the fact that no other vehicle involved ... this seems like a freak accident."

Eyles' brother-in-law, Neal Pender, told the Global Times, "He knew a lot of people, he touched a lot of people. But his life was cut so short that people should understand how much of a loss this is, not just for us, but for his family, friends, co-workers, everyone. My sister is devastated, they were best friends, they had an absolutely amazing marriage. It's tough to even look at her, she is such a happy person and he was such a spark in her life."

"Everyone is just devastated," he added. "He was a family man, he did everything he could to provide for his kids and my sister, but that's not where it stopped. He did everything to please everybody else. He was the kind of guy who could go into a room and make everybody feel comfortable. ... He's somebody you could look up to, and I certainly did."

A GoFundMe page set to benefit the family has received more than $52,000 in donations at the time of this reporting.

"His kids idolized their dad," Pender added. "For my sister, he was her best friend, their main support system, it's heartbreaking."