Elizabeth Edwards dies at age 61
WASHINGTON — A family friend says Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, has died of cancer.
Elizabeth Edwards died Tuesday, according to a friend who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The family issued a statement Monday that said doctors had told Edwards that further treatment for her cancer would be unproductive.
Couple on trial for son’s death
PHILADELPHIA — A couple who prayed for their sick toddler rather than take him to a doctor before his pneumonia death are on trial in Philadelphia, charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Defence lawyers say Herbert and Catherine Schaible are being prosecuted because they are Christian fundamentalists and belong to a church that endorses faith healing.
Catherine Schaible’s lawyer says prosecutors cannot prove the mother knew her 2-year-old son, Kent, was facing death when he became ill in January 2009.
The boy died 10 days later of bacterial pneumonia. Prosecutors say a doctor’s visit could have saved him.
Whipped cream truck crashes
LOS ANGELES — Mark Leon lives in a sweet spot for big rigs in Los Angeles County.
Nine years after a truck hauling chocolate syrup crashed into his mobile home park, another rig hauling 36,000 pounds of whipped cream and sour cream crashed Tuesday just feet from his house.
Authorities say the truck, driven by an unlicensed 16-year-old, was stopped by a stand of trees and a chain-link fence just off Interstate 210. Three people had minor injuries.
The California Highway Patrol says the 16-year-old fell asleep and lost control of the big rig.
Investigators say the teen’s 20-year-old brother got tired and asked for driving help. Two cousins, ages 3 and 13, were also in the truck.
