Witnesses Say Bridge Collapsed Without Warning (Miami, FL) -- Witnesses to the deadly FIU bridge collapse say there were no signs anything was wrong until it was too late. One witness says the collapse at 109th and 8th Street yesterday afternoon happened suddenly from the bridge's left to the middle. An unidentified official tells CBS4 there were no warning signs and the pedestrian bridge just came down. No cause for the collapse has been announced. The NTSB is leading the investigation. Responding Officer Saves Life After Bridge Collapse (Miami, FL) -- A police officer's quick actions are credited with saving a life after the deadly FIU bridge collapse. Sweetwater Police Officer Juan Llera was one of the first to arrive on the scene yesterday afternoon. He saw a construction worker lying in the street, performed CPR on the man and kept him alive until paramedics arrived. Llera says the collapse sounded like a bomb went off and he tells Local 10 News he feared it was a terrorist attack.
FIU Offering Counseling After Deadly Bridge Collapse (Miami, FL) -- FIU is dealing with what its president calls a dark day in the school's history. Four people are dead after a bridge collapsed yesterday. In an email sent yesterday, President Mark Rosenberg said the school will be open today to provide counseling for students, faculty and staff. Students are on spring break and classes will resume on Monday.
Amari Hair Arrested Again For Punching Pregnant Woman (Titusville, FL) -- A man familiar to police is facing charges for what they call a sickening incident. Titusville 20-year-old Amari Hair was arrested this week for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman. An arrest of Hair in another incident last year led to outrage on social media when a Titusville detective was seen on video punching him while he was handcuffed. Police say the community should be relieved that Hair is off the streets, especially considering his history of violence and drugs.
Goat Found Wandering In Hillsborough County (Tampa, FL) -- Hillsborough County deputies are trying to find the owner of a friendly and furry but unwanted visitor. Deputies yesterday responded to a home in Thonotosassa where a homeowner found a goat wandering in their yard. The deputy who responded tells the "Tampa Bay Times" the goat is a sweet little guy and was likely somebody's pet. The goat was taken to an impound lot and if it isn't claimed in a week, it will go up for auction.
Workplaces Brace For March Madness Impact (Undated) -- The month of march can be maddening for employers, and just as exciting for college basketball fans. The annual NCAA tournament is underway, and the impact on the American worker is significant. One online polling platform determined that nearly 56-percent of Millennials are willing to miss a deadline in order to watch a March Madness game. Still some employers say that with the advent of online streaming for sports games, it's largely a losing battle to oppose the obsession. Many companies embrace the tournament to boost morale, while others insist employees watch games only on their personal time.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2016, President Obama picked appellate court judge Merrick Garland to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. However, Senate Republican leaders blocked Obama's nomination. Republicans argued that the next president should make the pick after voters have their say in November's election.
2005, a California jury found actor Robert Blake not guilty of first degree murder in the 2001 death of his wife Bonny Lee Bakley. The jury also found the former "Baretta" TV actor not guilty on one count of solicitation of murder. The jury deadlocked on a second count of solicitation of murder with eleven of the panel members voting not guilty, and one person voting guilty.
2005, a judge in Redwood City, California formally sentenced Scott Peterson to death for the murders of his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son.
1995, astronaut Norman Thagard became the first American to visit the Russian space station Mir.
1985, journalist Terry Anderson was kidnapped by gunmen in Beirut, Lebanon. He was released in 1991, after being held captive for more than 24-hundred days.
1945, the Japanese Island of Iwo Jima was secured by the Allies.
1882, the United States Senate approved a treaty allowing the U.S. to join the Red Cross.
1802, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was established by an act of Congress. The school was originally intended for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.