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Second man arrested in fatal shooting at Henrico apartment

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. – A second man has been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting at a Henrico County apartment complex on January 3.

Bobby Peoples, 25, of Henrico County, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting death of 30-year-old Rico Rashad Robinson.

Robinson was killed at the Oakmeade Apartments along the 200 block of Airport place in eastern Henrico.

"Police arrived on the scene and found an adult male with injuries near a front door," a Henrico Police spokesperson said about the 9:30 p.m. shooting. "First responders provided emergency care; however, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced [dead] on the scene."

Neighbors told Crime Insider Jon Burkett they heard at least six gunshots.

Earlier this week, 25-year-old Bobby Morrell Patterson, Jr., was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the homicide.

If anyone has additional information regarding the shooting, they are asked to call detectives at 804-501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.


FBI: Armed and dangerous ‘Scream Bandit’ strikes again in Richmond, Henrico

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RICHMOND, Va. – The armed robber nicknamed the “Scream Bandit” is believed to have struck again in the City of Richmond and Henrico County, according to the FBI.

FBI Richmond continues to offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the “Scream Bandit” who is wanted for armed robberies in Richmond, North Chesterfield, and Henrico.

Investigators also believe the male suspect is responsible for three convenience store robberies in January and February of 2019.

  • BP Gas Station located on East Laburnum Avenue in Henrico County, Virginia, on January 19, 2019;
  • Speedway Gas Station located on Midlothian Turnpike in the City of Richmond, Virginia, on January 24, 2019;
  • Raceway Gas Station located on Hull Street Road in North Chesterfield County, Virginia, on February 12, 2019.

The FBI now believes the armed robber is responsible for two additional robberies that occurred on January 5, 2020.

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The first incident occurred at the Raceway Gas Station located in the 5600 block of Jefferson Davis Highway in Richmond

“Prior to entering the store, the subject, armed with a semi-automatic handgun, tripped giving the victim clerk time to secure themselves in a locked room. Inside and still armed, the subject did not encounter any additional clerks and fled the store,” said the FBI in a release.

Approximately twenty-five minutes later, investigators believe the same man entered the BP Gas Station located in the 600 block of E. Laburnum Avenue in Henrico.

The suspect, still armed with the handgun, approached clerks and demanded they place money into a plastic bag.  After the clerks complied with his demands, he exited the gas station and fled on foot.

In all five robberies, the man wore a scream "Halloween style mask" and displayed a semi-automatic handgun before demanding money from the clerk.

During the robberies, the bandit was described as a black male, approximately 5’7”, 160-180 pounds, and 20-30 years of age; wearing all black clothing, black gloves.

Crews douse Henrico apartment blaze as flames shoot from second-floor window

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Authorities are investigating what sparked a fire at an apartment building in eastern Henrico County Saturday night.

Fire crews were called to the 11 North at White Oak apartments in the 600 block of North Laburnum Avenue at 8:05 p.m., according to Assistant Chief Jeff Farmer with Henrico County Division of Fire.

When firefighters arrived, they saw flames shooting from a second-floor window at the 11 North at White Oak apartment community.

“Firefighters entered the structure and quickly brought the fire under control,” Farmer said.

No injuries were reported.

Farmer said the unit where the fire broke out is vacant.

The Henrico Fire Marshal’s Office will determine what sparked the fire, officials said.

“Henrico Fire reminds all community members that working smoke alarms save lives,” Farmer said.

Pet Expo nets $40,000 for Henrico Humane Society

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — There was a big turnout for the Henrico Humane Society’s 20th annual Pet Expo Saturday at Richmond International Raceway Complex.

The event featured contests, races, pet massages, a parade of adoptable pets and new this year, dog yoga.

The all-volunteer organization saves hundreds of dogs and cats every year.

“It’s a really important fundraiser for us because the more money we raise, the more animals we can save,” Melissa Golden with the Henrico Humane Society said.

WTVR CBS 6’s Greg McQuade has been serving as emcee of the Pet Expo for the past 14 years.

He also adopted his two-year-old pup Lola from the Henrico Humane Society.

This year’s event raised more than $40,000 for the Henrico Humane Society.

Click here to learn more about the Henrico Humane Society or if you would like to make a donation.

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Video shows Henrico boy hit awesome buzzer-beater to win game

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RICHMOND, Va. – As a kid, most basketball fans dream of hitting the last-second buzzer-beater to win the game. Well, that dream was a reality this weekend for 11-year-old Marcus Bullock of Henrico.

It was the first game of the season for the Donahoe Elementary School fifth grader and his Raptors with the Chamberlayne Youth Basketball League.

Down one point with four seconds to go in the game, Marcus threw up a prayer at the buzzer.

It was answered.

The 11-year-old hit a three-pointer as time expired to win the game.

The special moment was captured on video.

After hitting the shot, Marcus was mobbed by his teammates in celebration.

Marcus’ mom tells CBS 6 that her son is an honor roll student who is also on the drumline. She says he is an “amazing big brother and an awesome son.”

All clear given after police find no shooting, injuries at Moody Middle School

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Henrico Police say no active shooter has been located and no students are injured after reports of an "active shooter" at Moody Middle School Monday morning.

Police say they received an E-911 text indicating there was an “active shooter” along the 7800 block of Woodman Road, where Moody Middle School is located.

“Obviously with a heightened awareness. First responders responded promptly and very quickly in masses to ensure the safety of everyone there at the school,” said Lt. Matthew Pecka. “We take these calls very seriously.”

Henrico Schools spokesperson Andy Jenks confirms that there was no evidence of an actual active shooter and no evidence that students were in harm’s way.

Jenks says police searched the school door to door before giving an all-clear Monday afternoon.

“Henrico Police have completed their search. The school is considered safe,” said Jenks. “Classroom instruction will continue in ‘lock and teach’ until the normal end of the school day. Students who use bus transportation can still ride the bus home as they normally would.”

 

Jenks says parents/guardians who wish to pick up their students early can do so.

“Please be prepared to follow the normal early dismissal procedures, and be aware that today it will take much longer than usual due to the number of families who responded to the scene,” said Jenks.

School officials say the school day will proceed on schedule until the normal dismissal time but all after-school activities for Moody Middle School have been canceled.

Debbie Flores, a Moody Middle parent, says her daughter alerted her to the situation through a text message.

“She’s asking me if I know anything, because, of course, I’m constantly trying to get involved, like, what’s going on. School’s not answering, so, we don’t know,” said Flores. “Parents are calling me. I don’t know how to answer their questions, because I don’t know what’s going on myself and I’m panicking a little bit because she’s starting to panic a little bit.”

“I thought there was a shooting. I really did and I just came here to back up the police. I’m sorry. I’m going to protect my child. I am,” Flores added.

This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.

Active shooter hoax causes panic for students, parents: ‘I thought I was going to lose everything’

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Stephanie Drain was one of hundreds of parents who rushed to Moody Middle School Monday after a report of an active shooter near the Henrico school.

“You just can’t get here quick enough to only be stopped and put in waiting,” said parent Stephanie Drain.

The school was put on lockdown after Henrico Police received an E-911 text indicating there was an “active shooter” along the 7800 block of Woodman Road, where Moody Middle School is located.

“We all just stayed in the corner that we were in while we were hiding,” said seventh-grader Tristin Drain.

Tristin Drain and mom Stephanie Drain

“All I could hear was a commotion in the background and her trying to whisper to me which I couldn’t make out what she was saying, and I am trying to ask her if she’s okay and then the phone went dead. Which to me sent a whole other panic,” said Drain.

As police searched the school, parents were asked to meet at North Run Baptist Church to receive updates on the situation and word on when they could pick up their children.

“I flew out of the house like a bat out of hell… paranoid, scared. It doesn’t happen to you. It doesn’t happen where you live. It’s like a dream, I’m watching a movie, but it’s real life… So terrified,” said, parent Melissa Elliot.

“It is difficult to be outside the school and know your child is in there just a few feet away and not be able to embrace him and get him out and let him know everything is okay,” said parent Chris Gruszkos.

Two hours after police were called to the school the scene was cleared and parents were permitted to pick up their children.

A long line of parents, eagerly anticipating reuniting with their kids, formed outside the school.

“Thank God. Thank God. Because I prayed the whole way here with tears running down my face,” said Drain.

Tristin Drain

“A speech on it wouldn’t be enough to tell you how scared I was in that moment,” said Tristin through tears. “I thought I was going to lose my mom and my dad. I thought I was going to lose everything. It really did scare me.”

Henrico police say they have identified a person of interest and are still in the preliminary stages of their investigation.

There will be an increased police presence at the school on Tuesday.

Henrico Police on 911 auto-tweet of school shooting hoax: ‘they are necessary’

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Marked and unmarked police cars and ambulances lined Woodman Road in Henrico County on Monday afternoon. It was a huge response - generated by a text and a subsequent tweet on the Henrico Police Twitter Page that said there was an active shooter at Moody Middle School.

Crime Insider sources said the phone used to type the text belonged to a 12-year-old girl and was traced to a classroom on the first floor.

When high priority 911 texts or calls are received, Henrico Police's Communications Center sends out an automatically generated tweet.

"When our emergency dispatch center receives a priority one call - whether it be a robbery, a shooting or an active shooter like today it sends out a message to the public to let them know what police are responding to and why," Henrico Police Spokesperson Matthew Pecka said.


Twitter users were upset - but  .

But Pecka said they are necessary to keep the public safe and informed.

"It's very important for partnership with schools and police and all first respondents to communicate and to make sure credible information is being delivered in a timely manner to our community," Pecka said.

Crime Insider Sources said the 12-year-old girl has not yet been charged.


Driver killed after car flips multiple times on I-64

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A man was killed when his car flipped along eastbound Interstate 64 at Exit 200, near I-295 in eastern Henrico, just after 2:30 a.m.

The man's name has not been released.

Police on scene said the car flipped multiple times near the woods along the highway.

The ramp reopened after 6 a.m., but crews expected to remain on the shoulder for clean-up for hours.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

A Tuesday morning storm system brought rain to Richmond overnight and several crashes slowed traffic on interstates around the region.

Mom finds closure after teen daughter’s murder: ‘Justice was given to me by God’

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A Henrico Circuit Court judge has nolle prossed, or dismissed, the charges against a man accused of killing his daughter and niece during a double shooting in 2018.

In December 2019, Abdool Zaman died by suicide in Henrico Jail East exactly a year after the killings, according to the Henrico Sheriff's Office.

Zaman was indicted on two counts of capital murder, along with the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony first and second offense for the December 13, 2018 crime.

Police said Vanessa Zaman and Leona Samlall were shot as they walked near the Oakmeade Apartments on Airport Drive and East Nine Mile Road in Highland Springs.

Abdool Zaman, Vanessa Zaman, and Leona Samlall

On Tuesday, the Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney's Office requested that Zaman's charges be nolle prossed during a scheduled motion hearing. His 15-day-trial was set to begin in August of 2020.

Vanessa's mother, Saveeta Barnes, said she had a short relationship with Vanessa's father. It ended when her daughter was a toddler.

"When someone decides to murder someone else and takes someone else’s life they should be prepared to give up their own," Barnes explained. "He saved a lot of taxpayer money and the stress of having to wonder what will happen and what will be the outcome of the case."

Barnes said her faith and family have helped her since her only child was murdered.

Saveeta Barnes

Saveeta Barnes

"It’s going to hurt when I miss her, but time does heal. She will always be my baby. I will always love her," she said.

Barnes believed several people turned a blind eye that led to the teen's killing. She mentioned a cab driver who failed to act when he dropped off the girls prior to the shooting.

"They knew there were two teenagers in some sort of trouble and never did anything about it," Barnes stated.

She said the cousins ran from an abusive situation in Florida to Henrico along with Leona's baby. That baby was fathered by Samlall's uncle, Abdool Zaman, according to Barnes.

She flew down from New York just to attend Tuesday's motion hearing.

"More so for closure. I didn’t want to not come and wonder what would happen if it didn’t," Barnes explained. "Justice is supposed to be good, and in this case, I think justice was given to me by God."

Hermitage students visit Peru: ‘Machu Picchu was amazing’

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Hermitage High School teachers Dana Fanson and Harry Dell often take students to foreign countries on field trips. But their first trip to Peru, for both them and their students, was eye opening.

Harry Dell and Dana Fanson

“It's not like we're just going into some indigenous person's house and poking around," Dell said. “They danced with us. They sang songs."

"They dressed us in their traditional clothing; the whole deal," Fanson said.

Sophomore Madison DeLoach loved the culture and the people of Peru.

"We got to visit the towns and see all the different churches and get a feel for what they do in their daily life, because it was summer there, so everyone was out having a fun time. "

The students visited Lima, Cusco, and many small villages.

"I bought two sweaters made from 100-percent baby alpaca," junior Hunter Russell said. “I bought the first one for full price, but the second one I asked for a discount."

Their favorite stop was the ancient city of Machu Picchu.

"Once we got up there, it was crazy to see the scenery," Madison said. “We've all learned about it in history class but being there is different than learning it in the classroom."

"Machu Picchu was amazing," Fanson added.  “Visiting the ruins was amazing but spending our day with that community and learning from them and just experiencing this snapshot of their daily life was really fun. "

Building Better Minds with Rob Cardwell airs every Wednesday at 6 and 6 p.m. on CBS 6.

Building Better Minds with Rob Cardwell airs every Wednesday at 6 and 6 p.m. on CBS 6.

Building Better Minds with Rob Cardwell airs every Wednesday at 6 and 6 p.m. on CBS 6 and is sponsored by Virginia Family Dentistry.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile coming to RVA this week

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RICHMOND, Va. — The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will make its way to the Richmond area this week and weekend.

The 27-foot-long orange wiener on wheels will make stops at Kroger locations in Richmond, Midlothian, Henrico, and Mechanicsville as apart of its nationwide tour.

Those locations include:

  • Jan 16: Kroger at 9480 West Broad Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Jan 16: Kroger at 11895 West Broad Street from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Jan 17: Kroger at 132 Rittenhouse Drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Jan 17: Kroger at 14101 Midlothian Turnpike from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Jan 18: Kroger at 9000 Staples Mill Road from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Jan 18: Kroger at 9351 Atlee Road from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Jan 19: Kroger at 12726 Jefferson Davis Hwy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Jan 19: Kroger at 10800 Iron Bridge Road from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more than 80 years, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has traveled the country for promotional events and charity functions. Brand ambassadors or “Hotdoggers” spend a year traveling in the Wienermobile for the promotional events.

Man says ‘simple solution’ would stop century-old private cemetery from flooding

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A Henrico County man reached out to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers for help addressing what he said is a flooding issue at his family’s century-old private cemetery.

Earnest Leon Watkins said the Watkins Family Cemetery was founded in 1920 along the 6200 block Monahan Rd. and generations of his family have been buried there.

“I have about 25 relatives,” said Watkins. “My father, my mother, everybody in this cemetery is my relatives.”

Reporter Cameron Thompson and Earnest Watkins.

Reporter Cameron Thompson and Earnest Watkins.

Watkins said he hopes to be buried there as well but is worried about the condition the cemetery will be in when that time comes. He said over the last ten years there has been a flooding issue on Monahan Rd. that spills onto his family cemetery, which sits a few feet from the roadway.

He said the water issues caused problem in 2016 when they attempted to bury his brother in the cemetery.

“When they dug the grave there was too much water, so they came to me and said we got to find another spot,” added Watkins. “Now, my fear is, I want to be buried in this cemetery. My sister. My fear is we’re going to go through the same thing or even worse.”

Watkins said he believes the ditches and pipes along Monahan and nearby roads are no longer properly functioning and he wants Henrico County to address the issue.

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“It has no where to go once it gets to the end of Monahan Road, it just backs up. Where it used to go, pipe would go under Monahan Road, go maybe, 100 feet down Charles City Road, go under Charles City Road into a large, deeper ditch. It seems like this is not happening now,” said Watkins “I want Henrico County to dig the ditches properly and to find a place for the water to run. It’s a simple solution.”

CBS 6 took Watkins’ concerns to the county and the Director of the Department of Public Works, Steve Yob, responded via email.

He said Monahan Rd. is “extremely flat and drains poorly. The land only drops about 5 inches to the corner of Charles City Road, a distance of over 1,200 feet. This is part of the geography of the area and the slope of the land is not something we can change.”

He added the county has been cleaning the ditches along that stretch of Monahan every few years since the early 2000s. He said the most recent cleaning was in August 2019 and that they will schedule another cleaning in the near future.

Yob added there “is a pipe under Charles City that is intended to drain the water to the airport/railroad tracks. We will look at it to assure it is working properly and to see if there is anything else that can be done at this time.”

CBS 6 News is working for you. Click here to email a tip to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers. Be sure to leave us your name, phone number and detailed description of the problem. You can also leave a message by calling 804-254-3672.

Need help? Contact the CBS 6 Problem Solvers.

Need help? Contact the CBS 6 Problem Solvers.

Shots fired into Chesterfield and Henrico homes: ‘It sounded really close’

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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Police in Chesterfield County and Henrico County are both investigating separate cases after shots were fired into multiple homes Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Chesterfield County officers first responded to a home on Pineville Rd after 11 p.m. Wednesday for reports of a shooting. Once on scene, officers found multiple bullet holes in the home.

A CBS 6 crew nearby says they heard about six gunshots.

In Henrico County, officers responded to a shooting at a home on Byron St. around 2:30 a.m. Thursday. Once on scene, officers discovered the home had been hit by bullets.

A woman who lives in the home told CBS 6 crews that she was home with her two siblings and mother when it happened. She said she woke up to what sounded like a shot whizzing right above her head. She said her mom was asleep in another room, and found a shell-casing in her bed.

Another woman who lives two doors down, Tianna Bassett, said her mother told her to get on the ground when they heard gunfire.

"I was like scared, confused at the same time," said Bassett. "Not sure if we were in like any danger -- because it sounded really close."

In both cases, there were no injuries. Police have not released any information about possible suspects.

Couple’s argument ends with car inside Henrico business

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A driver and passenger jumped out of a car that hit a lawn mower repair shop in eastern Henrico Thursday.

A mother and infant in the back seat of the crashed car were not seriously injured, according to Henrico Police.

The couple in the front was involved in an argument when the driver hit the business on Nine Mile Road, a Henrico Police spokesperson said.

There were employees inside the repair shop at the time, but fortunately no one was hurt.

An investigation into the crash remained on oging. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.


Police: death investigation underway after Henrico shooting

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police are on scene of a death investigation after a man was found shot and killed in a Henrico neighborhood.

Police were called to the intersection of Sandpiper Drive and Lark Drive around 9:40 p.m. Thursday.

A large police presence is currently on scene investigating, including K9 dogs searching the woods near the neighborhood.

Police did not provide a suspect description at this time.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Henrico County Police at 804-501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or submit a tip online at http://www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smart phones may also be used. All three Crime Stoppers methods of contact are anonymous.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.

 

 

Police ID man killed in Henrico home

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police have identified the man killed in a Henrico home as 40-year-old Phillip Duron Adkins.

Police were called to the Sandpiper Drive, near Lark Drive, at about 9:41 p.m. Thursday to investigate a shooting.

"Henrico Police arrived and were directed to the injured male inside the residence," a Henrico Police spokesperson said. "[He] succumbed to his injuries at the scene."

Police are still investigation what happened in the moments before the shooting. Witnesses can send news tips here.

Anyone with information, to include home surveillance should contact Henrico Police at 804-501-5000 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.

Richmond man arrested after man killed at Henrico home

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police have made an arrest after a 40-year-old man was killed in a shooting Thursday night at a home in Henrico County.

Police were called to the Sandpiper Drive, near Lark Drive, at about 9:41 p.m. Thursday to investigate a shooting.

"Henrico Police arrived and were directed to the injured male inside the residence," a Henrico Police spokesperson said. "[He] succumbed to his injuries at the scene."

The victim was later identified as Phillip Duron Adkins of Henrico County.

Officers arrested 23-year-old Deion Lincoln Smallwood, of Richmond, in Henrico County on Saturday, according to police.

Smallwood was charged with murder, police said.

"Detectives responded and are looking for any details leading up to this deadly even," a Henrico Police spokesperson said.

Anyone with information, to include home surveillance should contact Henrico police at 804-501-5000 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.

Driver injured after pickup crashes into Henrico firetruck working I-295 crash

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HENRICO COUNTY , Va. -- Authorities said one person was injured after their pickup truck slammed into the black of a firetruck working a crash along Interstate 295 in Henrico County early Saturday morning.

Henrico Fire officials said crews were dispatched to a crash on I-295 northbound near the I-95 interchange just before 6:30 a.m.

"Engine 1 arrived on scene to find Hanover County Engine 406 already on scene as they were dispatched to the same call," officials with Henrico County Fire Station 1 posted on Facebook. "Engine 1 took a position behind Engine 406 to help protect the area for the firefighters that were operating on scene. Engine 1's crew exited the rig and were headed to assist Hanover 406's crew when they heard a loud crash behind them. They turned to see that a vehicle had made impact at the back corner of Engine 1 with enough force to move the rig forward about three feet."

Officials said while crews assisted that driver, who was transported to an area hospital, another fire engine pulled up to "protect the new scene."

Additionally, firefighters said two more "minor collisions" happened behind that firetruck.

"None of the crews operating on the scene were injured, and Engine 1 did a phenomenal job protecting the scene," officials noted.

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First responders said "combination of rain, freezing temperatures, a vehicle traveling at highway speed, and slippery conditions on the bridge over the Chickahominy Swamp definitely played a role in all of these incidents."

Firefighters also urged drivers to move over and slow down when you see them on the highway.

"The shoulders/medians are full of disabled vehicles and emergency, or recovery vehicles these days. This is why you may see fire engines blocking entire lanes on interstate calls... It's crystal clear that without Engine 1 on scene this morning, the crews of Henrico Engine 1 and Hanover Engine 406 may have suffered another devastating blow just a little over a year since the incident on the same highway involving Hanover Engine 406 that took the life of our friend Lt. Brad Clark... We want to be there for people that need us, but we all want to make it home to our families at the end of our shifts as well."

Henrico Fire officials also cautioned against a rush to judgement.

"We don't know how it happened. We don't know what lane the vehicle was in before it struck Engine ," the Facebook post reads. "The only thing we know is that the bridge located a little way behind the engine was slick. Please keep that in mind when looking to blame someone for the incident. We don't know all the facts, and we're of course wishing a speedy recovery to the driver."

Officials said there is no word yet on how badly the fire truck was damaged.

Henrico Star Wars superfan calls ‘Rise of Skywalker’ Hollywood premiere ‘out-of-body experience’

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- In a galaxy not really far away, the Force truly is with Star Wars enthusiast Joel Webne.

“It all takes me back it really does,” Webne said. “It is a healthy obsession for me. It swells up inside you. It's really fun.”

To say that he’s a Star Wars is a Wookie sized understatement. The Henrico man’s stellar odyssey began four decades ago and he has been collecting memorabilia, costumes and toys since 1977.

Joel Webne

Joel Webne

“Since I was seven years old when I saw the first movie,” Webne  said.

His passion for light sabers, Jedis and the Millenium Falcon has only intensified as he’s grown older.

“I still have all of my figures to this day,” Webne said.

He’s a member of the 501st Legion, the dark side, and Rebel Legion, which are the good guys.

“My wife tolerates what I do,” Webne said.

The international groups allow self-avowed Star Wars fans to live out their dreams as real-life action figures with big hearts.

“There are two sides to the coin but they stand for the same thing," Webne said. "They’re all about the community. They’re all about the charity.”

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The 49-year-old has been called a Star Wars nerd -- a title he embraces with glee.

“Absolutely, I love it," Webne said. "It’s a part of who I am.”

But last month Webne’s fandom reached new solar systems when he was part of 120 Legion members chosen to attend the Hollywood premiere of “Rise of Skywalker.”

“I almost passed out. I did,” Webne admitted. “As soon as they said, ‘We’re going live.’ I was like, ‘Oh my gosh this is happening.’”

During the blue carpet event a giddy Joel rubbed shoulders with star Mark Hamill and Daisey Ridley.

“This is the bucket list item,” Webne said.

An experience that left him in a droid-like state.

“To see it before it was released it was unreal. It was an out-of-body experience,” says Joel.

Webne even added the ultimate pieces to his Star Wars collection as showed off a shield and ticket autographed by cast and crew.

“This is my holy grail right now,” Webne said.  “To me as a collector these are things I’ll never sell. I’ll never get rid of.”

The film marks the conclusion of the 42-year-old Skywalker saga.

“I cried," Webne said. "I was sitting in the theater with 400 other people in tears.”

But Star Wars superfan Joel Webne isn’t ready to end this intergalactic ride any time warp soon.

“It was emotional,” Webne said. “This represents my childhood. It really does. Its going to last with me forever.”

Like powerful stories? Watch CBS 6 News at 11 p.m. Fridays for Greg McQuade’s “I Have A Story” reports. If you know of someone Greg should feature, email him at gmcquade@wtvr.com.

Watch "I Have A Story" Fridays on CBS 6 News at 11 p.m. If you know of someone with an interesting story, email gmcquade@wtvr.com

Additionally, watch CBS 6 News at 6 p.m. Thursdays for Greg McQuade's "Heroes Among Us" reports. 

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