Sunday was a very special day for a Massachusetts man who crossed the Philadelphia Marathon finish line as a winner for the second time in four years.
Dan Vassallo, 29, of Peabody, MA. finished the 26.2 mile race with an unofficial time of 2:17:27 qualifying him for the 2016 Olympic trials.
"It was really tough those last couple miles, but it was really nice to have a field with me there that I could either stay ahead of or chase down, " said Vassallo. "It was fantastic."
Vassallo also won the Philadelphia Marathon in 2010.
"Philadelphia has always had a special place in my heart. This is probably the best sports town in America."
We couldn't agree more, Dan!
Vassallo's win was followed up by Leonora Petrina, the female winner.
"It's pretty cool, actually, I didn't expect to win," said Petrina, who's run many half-marathons, but never a full. "I was hoping for top 5."
Her unofficial time was 2 hours and 39 minutes.
Petrina is orginally from New Zealand, but now lives in New York.
The winners come from a pool of about 30,000 runners.
Add those runners to about 60,000 spectators and you have a very crowded race route that spanned from the Ben Franklin Parkway through Old City and Center City and had many roads closed until about 6 p.m Sunday.
Two people are dead and a third is missing after an intense fire overtook a New Jersey home early Sunday, a fire official said.
Firefighters arriving at the home on Union Avenue in Paterson Sunday morning were pushed back by the heavy flames, said Paterson Fire Chief Michael Postorino.
One person was discovered dead on the first floor, and a second was found on the stairs, Postarino said. The house - home to three people and a dog, according to a neighbor - was left with the windows burned out and the facade blackened by the blaze.
Officials were still working to identify the victims. One person remains unaccounted for, Postorino said.
The flames also damaged a neighboring building, and seven people who lived there were displaced, Postarino said.
A Burlington County, New Jersey, mother accused of shooting her three kids in her bedroom before turning the gun on herself has died, according to New Jersey State Police.
Jeaninne LePage, 44, died at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, Sunday morning, police confirmed to NBC10.
LePage, who was hospitalized since she and her three children were found shot in her bed last Thursday, is the responsible for killing two of her kids before turning the gun on herself inside their Holly Park Drive home in Tabernacle, said New Jersey State Police.
Police found the weapon — which has been in the family for a long time — close to LePage.
Eight-year-old Nadia Harriman and her 14-year-old brother, Nicholas Harriman, died, according to New Jersey State Police.
Alexander Harriman, 11, remained in severely critical condition at Cooper University Hospital Sunday, officials said.
Neighbors identified the victims Thursday, but authorities waited to confirm their names until they family members, including the children's father who was located in Maryland, were informed of the deaths.
Another relative who lives in the house found the victims around 9 a.m. and called for help.
"When police got there, they found a really horrific scene,’ said Jones. The victims were found in the same room and police believe they were shot with the same handgun, which was found at the scene."
Neighbors said that LePage shared the bed with her children and was in financial troubles.
Investigators believe the shootings occurred sometime between 5 and 9 a.m.
Nine people live in the house. They have all been accounted for and were interviewed by police, who assured neighbors early in the investigation that there was no manhunt and no reason for anyone to feel threatened or alarmed.
LePage tried to hide the shootings, according to police.
"A pillow was used to muffle the gunshot sounds, which we believe is why the other members of the house didn't hear the gunshots," said Noble.
The shootings shock the quiet community.
Members of the community organized a candlelight vigil Thursday night at Tabernacle's Town Hall, located at 163 Carranza Rd. At the vigil, children remembered their classmates.
Students and staff at Seneca High School — where Nicholas attended — had a moment of silence for the family Friday morning. Grief counselors were also on hand at local schools Friday to talk with grieving students and staff.
A trust fund was set up at PNC Bank under LePage-Harriman Memorial Fund.
Police are searching for a teenage girl who went missing in Camden.
Jannett Sanchez, 14, was reported missing Sunday from her home on the unit block of South 30th Street in East Camden.
Sanchez is described as a Hispanic female standing 5-foot-5 and weighing 120 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. This is the first time Sanchez has been reported missing, according to police.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call the Camden County Police Department tip line at (856) 757-7042.
A woman is in the hospital after she was struck by an NJ Transit train in Absecon, New Jersey Sunday.
The 52-year-old woman was walking along the tracks under the platform at the Absecon Train Station shortly before 1 p.m. when she jumped in front of a train, according to police.
Absecon Police and medics responded to the scene. The woman was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center – City Campus. Officials have not yet revealed her condition.
SUICIDE PREVENTION: If you know someone who needs help, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
A woman was found dead near a South Philadelphia warehouse Sunday afternoon.
The woman was discovered at 1:38 p.m. at a warehouse on 1910 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard. A witness told NBC10 the body was not there earlier in the day.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by a responding medic.
Police described the victim as a white female between 35 and 40 years of age. They also said she was naked and had a laceration on the right side of her rib cage.
"As a parent and as a human being it's senseless," said Carol Lanni, creator of "Taking Our South Philly Streets Back." "It's just horrifying."
Family members identified the victim as Crystal Goodwin. They told NBC10 they reported her missing last week. They also said that while she had problems with substance abuse, they're convinced she was murdered.
Police have not confirmed the woman's identity or determined a cause of death. They continue to investigate.
Two teenagers are in the hospital after they were shot in North Philadelphia Sunday night.
A 17-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy were on the 2300 block of North Fawn Street at 5:56 p.m. when an unidentified gunman opened fire before fleeing the scene.
The 17-year-old boy was struck once in the right forearm and once in the left leg. The 16-year-old boy was struck twice in the left knee.
Both teens were taken to Temple University Hospital where they are both in stable condition.
No arrests have been made. Police have not yet released a description of the suspect.
This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.
A Philadelphia hip hop artist convicted of shooting and killing a female police officer will be executed next year.
Christopher Roney was convicted of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Philadelphia Police Officer Lauretha Vaird Jan. 2, 1996. Governor Tom Corbett signed an execution warrant for Roney on Friday. He is scheduled to be executed Jan. 8, 2015. Executions in Pennsylvania are carried out by lethal injection.
Roney, 44, was found guilty of first-degree murder and other offenses Oct. 30, 1996. The jury also returned a death verdict Nov. 1, 1996 in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
On Jan. 2, 1996, around 8:20 a.m., Roney, Ernest Canty and Warren McGlone tried to rob a PNC Bank at 4710 Rising Sun Avenue in Philadelphia. As the assistant manager arrived at the bank, Canty grabbed her as well as the bank manager and forced them inside at gunpoint. Roney then grabbed the head bank teller as she arrived.
A nearby business contacted police. Officer Lauretha Vaird, a nine-year veteran with the 25th District, was the first officer to arrive at the scene. As she entered the bank, Roney opened fire, striking her in the abdomen, according to officials. He and the other two men then fled the scene as other officers arrived.
Vaird, a 43-year-old single mother of two boys, died from her injuries. She was the first Philadelphia female police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Roney and his two accomplices were arrested after police received statements from eyewitnesses.
Prior to his arrest, Roney was a hip hop artist who released two solo albums under the stage name “Cool C” in 1989 and 1990 as well as an album with the hip hop group C.E.B. in 1993.
Roney was recording a comeback EP at the time of Vaird's death. McGlone, who performed under the stage name "Steady B" was another member of C.E.B. while Canty was also a local hip hop artist.
Aside from Roney, Governor Corbett also signed execution warrants for Mark Duane Edwards, who was convicted of murder in the shooting deaths of a husband, wife and their pregnant teen daughter in 2002 as well as Dennis Reed, who was convicted in the shooting death of his girlfriend and mother of his son in 2001.
The three execution warrants signed Friday were Corbett’s 41st, 42nd and 43rd warrants signed since he took office.
One of the busiest travel days of the year could be even busier than normal with the possibility of rain and snow Thanksgiving Eve.
NBC10 First Alert weather meteorologist Brittney Shipp is following two possible tracks of a coastal system moving into the area Wednesday. While it’s too early to tell what type of precipitation the system will bring, snow is a possibility.
“The track will determine whether its rain, heavy rain or snow,” Shipp said. “If it stays near the coast there will be more snow. If it stays further away there will be less snow and more rain.”
According to Shipp, European models at the moment are suggesting a track closer to the coast.
The wet weather is expected to hit during the day into Wednesday night. The possible rain and snow could lead to wet roads and flight delays creating a potential nightmare for travelers on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
It’s just one part of what promises to be a wild week in weather. Rain is moving into the area around 10 p.m. Sunday but should be gone before the morning rush. Warmer air will then move in leading to temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's. Temperatures could reach as high as 72 degrees Monday, which would break the previous record of 71 for this time of year set in 2007.
After the Spring-like Monday, temperatures will fall again with an expected high of 59 degrees Tuesday and 45 degrees Wednesday. Thanksgiving will be cold, with a high of 42 degrees, but sunny, as the wet weather will be out of the area by then.
The cold temperatures will continue Friday with a high of 40 degrees before they rise slightly with a high of 45 Saturday and 49 Sunday.
Despite the possible rain and snow Wednesday, Thanksgiving travelers in our area do have some good news. PennDOT officials told NBC10 they’ve made numerous road improvements for motorists traveling through Pennsylvania between Wednesday and Sunday. Those improvements include six lanes on Route 202 between Routes 252 and 401.
“Some motorists wanting to get to the Turnpike Interchange or the connections between the Schuylkill Expressway and 422, that’s greatly improved for travel,” said PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum.
A rock embankment was also stabilized on the eastbound side near Pennsylvania Route 23. Resurfacing has also been done from Spring Garden to 30th Street and near Passyunk Avenue.
New southbound lanes also opened Sunday morning on I-95 near Cottman Avenue.
Stay with NBC10.com throughout the week for the latest details on the expected Thanksgiving Eve weather.
A funeral will be held Monday for a young veteran who was one of the two people killed last week after a big rig slammed into a row of cars.
Visitation was held Sunday night for Jeremy Augustine, 23. Another visitation will be held Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at Grace Lutheran Church in Macungie, Pennsylvania.
On Friday, Augustine's friends and family spoke about the life of the young veteran.
“He was a great person and he always would make people laugh when they were down, he was a good ‘go-to guy’ when you had an issue and wanted to talk to somebody,” said Mark Wickline, Augustine's brother.
Wickline held back tears as he spoke about his brother. Jeremy was on his way to work Wednesday morning when a tractor-trailer blindsided his car along Allentown Pike (U.S. Route 22) in Maidencreek Township, Pennsylvania.
Nurse Jane Harakel, 32, of Topton, Pennsylvania was also killed in the pileup.
The crash happened along Jeremy's normal route to work. His family tried calling him after seeing the crash on the news.
“When he didn’t pick up I knew something was wrong,” Wickline said.
Jeremy’s car was one of nine cars in the pileup. His car came to a rest against a Dunkin’ Donuts sign trapping Jeremy in the car.
Wickline said his brother graduated from nearby Emmaus High School then decided to go into the military shortly after marrying his high school sweetheart.
“He signed right up right out of high school,” Wickline said.
Jeremy went on to serve in Germany before returning home to work for Garda Security in Reading, Pennsylvania.
The driver of the big rig — identified by Berks County District Attorney John Adams as 50-year-old Steven Bernier — was charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle, nine counts of aggravated assault, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, speeding and driving violations.
Surveillance video captured the entire wreck.
"In reviewing the video, this should not have happened," Adams said. "This tractor-trailer just never stopped, resulting in a horrific accident."
Bernier hid his face and said nothing as police led him into court. He remains jailed on $500,000 bail.
"It just seemed like it didn't stop," said Jake Gast, who along with his two co-workers, 50-year-old Roger Hiler and 26-year-old Nick Bowker, were inside one of the cars that was struck. "When it was over I was sitting there not knowing whether I was dead or alive."
Bernier, a registered sex offender out on parole, was driving the truck for Cougle's Recycling. Bernier began his shift at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, Adams said.
"When he woke up he laid on the brakes but needless to say the tractor-trailer careened across his lane of traffic, impacting two vehicles waiting to leave this scene at the Dunkin' Donuts," Adams said.
Gast told NBC10 he approached Bernier moments after the crash and asked him what happened.
"He was beside himself," Gast said. "He just said, 'You know what? I dozed off. Man I just dozed off. Man I just dozed off.'"
Rather than focus on the suspect, Wickline asked people to focus on the victims.
“Just say a prayer for everybody that was involved in this incident,” Wickline said. “It’s a huge tragedy.”
A New Jersey substitute teacher has been arrested after sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student in her car, prosecutors say.
Linda Hardan, 21, was arrested Friday on charges of criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said Saturday.
Hardan is accused of assaulting a student from Manchester Regional High School, where she worked as a substitute teacher, prosecutors said. The attack occurred Thursday in Hardan's parked car in Wayne, prosecutors said.
It wasn't clear if Hardan had a lawyer. Calls to a phone number at her address in Prospect Park, New Jersey, went unanswered.
A lack of working lights caused traffic troubles at one of Philadelphia’s busiest intersections Monday morning.
The traffic signals stopped working overnight where the Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. Route 1) intersects with Grant Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia.
Traffic could move north/south on the Boulevard but Philadelphia Police blocked east/west traffic.
The lights were fixed and traffic began moving normally again around 4:45 a.m.
A serious crash closed Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania early Monday.
The wreck occurred in the northbound lanes of I-95 approaching the I-476 interchange in Chester, Delaware County around 3:30 a.m.
State police blocked all northbound lanes for more than 90 minutes as they investigated the wreck.
Investigators didn’t reveal the extent of injuries.
Pennsylvania Route 291 could serve as an alternate route.
Traffic continued to move southbound.
A former employee of NBC Entertainment has come forward to claim he regularly brought young women to Bill Cosby's dressing room and was asked to send money to multiple women over the years.
Frank Scotti, who says he worked as a facilities manager for the Brooklyn NBC Studio where "Cosby Show" was filmed, is the latest to go public with stories of Cosby’s past.
Scotti, 90, said it was once his job to guard the door after bringing young women to Cosby's dressing room. "I felt like a pimp,'' Scotti told "Today." "Every time he had somebody I had to watch, I had the girl stay there. I felt dirty."
Scotti also claims he was asked by the comedian to send money to various women, sometimes thousands of dollars a month. "All I know is that Bill Cosby told me that certain people, I want you to send this money out to them. He told me how much and I said fine and I went and got money orders, said Scotti. He said he never delivered the money but always sent it by mail, and never met the women to whom he sent money.
"I just felt, you know, he's not the person I thought he was,'' Scotti said of his decision to come forward.
One of the women whose name appears on several money orders Scotti showed "Today" says the gifts were purely "generosity" on the part of Cosby and were intended to help pay for her son’s boarding school.
“It is a shame that Dr. William Cosby’s generosity is being questioned and maligned," said Alva Chinn, a model and actress who appeared in several episodes of "The Cosby Show." “The source could have asked me first before releasing these money orders."
Scotti told the New York Daily News he eventually quit working with Cosby, "because of the girls."
Cosby has never been charged with a crime, but 18 women have now publicly accused the star of sexual assault or attempted assault.
In response to Scotti's allegations Cosby's attorney, Martin Singer, told NBC News, "It appears that his story is pure speculation so that he can get his 15 minutes of fame.''
"I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn't have to answer to innuendos,'' Cosby told Florida Today after receiving a standing ovation at a comedy show on Saturday. "People should fact-check." Cosby has always denied allegations of assault.
A Philadelphia Police cruiser and a private ambulance crashed overnight leaving one person hurt.
The wreck occurred around 3:30 a.m. at Magee and Torresdale avenues in the Tacony section of Northeast Philadelphia.
No patient was on board the Ameriquest ambulance at the time of the wreck, said Philadelphia Police.
A passenger in the ambulance was taken to Aria-Torresdale Hospital with minor bumps and bruises. No officers were hurt, according to investigators.
The cause of the wreck remained under investigation Monday morning.
