Flat tire changes man's life in an instant

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Tuesday, May 7th, 12:52 am

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Memphis father of two is making a courageous recovery after his life was changed in an instant. It could happen to anyone – one minute he was changing a tire, and next he was clinging for his life.

"You don't expect to see nobody walk on water. You don't expect to see anybody just split down the middle," said Michael Owens who lost his legs in an accident. "I didn't expect to see the next day either."

Owens, 28, pulled over to fix a flat in early March. He pulled off of Winchester Road, and called a friend to watch out for him while he changed the tire.

A passing car slammed into his friend's truck pinning Owens' legs between the bumper and the ground.

"When the crash happened, something whispered, said, 'There's a change. You're going to lose your legs,'" said Owens. "The only thing I was thinking about is just trying to survive. I got two daughters I want to keep seeing."

View Comments | Post a Comment

Frayser residents choose neighborhood council

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Saturday, May 4th, 10:23 pm

(WMC-TV) - An historic election was held in the Frayser community today.

A new board, similar to a city council, will work with residents to shape the future of their community.

"From block to block we're cleaning up Frayser, that's our job," said Peggy Alexander of the Frayser Community Development Center.

And that is the reason so many people gathered to vote in Frayser Saturday afternoon.

"I believe the voting was most definitely needed.," Alexander added.

Frayser was selected to participate in a federally funded "Building Neighborhood Capacities Program" as part of President Obama's Buildng Neighborhoods Initiative.

Eight neighborhoods in four cities were chosen.

Saturday, anyone living in the 38127 zip code, voted for their own council.

"It was open to anyone who lives, works, worships or owns property in Frayser to come out and be a part of it," Alexander said.

Anyone over 16 was eligible to vote.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Pastor leads gang member away from life of crime

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Wednesday, May 1st, 4:30 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A reformed gang member is using his story to help make his neighborhood a better place for kids to grow up.

Darrius Halloway first stepped foot inside Pursuit of God Transformation Center nine years ago.

"When I first came to church, I had a gun," he said. "I was like, 'This has got to be a setup. They trying to get revenge."

He thought the church was seeking revenge after he beat up the pastor's son with a few of his fellow gang members. His sentence was to attend church.

"To make a long story short, I ended up going to jail. And my lawyer came to me and said that the pastor wants you to come to church. And I'm really gang related, so that don't happen," explained Halloway.

But it happened and after one visit, he stopped bringing his gun and began to turn away from gang life.

"My mentor was the drug dealer. My fathers was the rappers. That's who I'm used to," he said.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Homeless people call themselves family in Memphis woods

Submitted by Justin Hanson, West Tennessee Reporter

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013, 11:49pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - It is a city within a city.

A community of homeless residents living in the woods, in the Raleigh area, call themselves a family. They take what little they have seriously.

"These people are very strong due to their conditions, and you must respect them and value them," said Lloyd May who used to be homeless.

May is familiar with the dirt roads and dilapidated houses near Austin Peay and Stage Road. He is also familiar with the people who live here because he used to be one of them.

"They're so alienated, afraid, paranoid, and down," said May.

May lived in an old depression era farmhouse for four years.

He now has another home, but said there are still permanent residents in the area – and many who come and go.

"Of course we're in the woods. So I have a fireplace, a propane cooking stove, use batteries for my lights," said Pam who one of the many who reside in the area.

View Comments | Post a Comment

New policy didn't stop firefighters from entering burning home

Submitted by Andrew Douglas on Monday, April 29th, 2:45 pm

RALEIGH, TN- (WMC-TV) - Fire destroyed one home early Monday morning and quickly spread to another. Now, questions are now being asked about the fire and how it was fought.

Shelby County firefighters say no one was inside the Raleigh home where the fire began, but when crews first arrived on the scene, they thought differently.

"The fire burned for a while before the neighbor two houses away noticed it," said Brent Perkins, Shelby County Fire Department. "As a result, there was a tremendous fire load in that structure well before the call to 911 was even made."

Flames then caught the house next door on fire, doing significant damage and forcing a family of six out.

Three people lived in the home where the fire started. When crews first responded, there was a vehicle in the driveway and neighbors said there were people inside.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Family dog dies in double house fire

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Monday, April 29th, 2013, 10:10am

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Flames ripped through two Shelby County homes early Monday morning, almost injuring two firefighters and killing a family pet.

The fire started at a home on Waterfront Oak Drive and spread to the house next door. At least nine people called the 911 to report the fires.

Two firefighters were blown back onto the porch and front yard when trying to entire the home. A flash fire pushed them back when they opened the front door. The firefighters were initially believed to be injured, but according to the fire department, their training and protective gear saved them from injury.

Nine people are reportedly displaced due to the fire. One of the homes was completely destroyed, while the second home received major damage. A pet dog did die on the scene, likely as a result of smoke inhalation.

The fire started around 2:30 a.m.

What caused the fire remains under investigation.

View Comments | Post a Comment