we'll also take you over to goddard's spaceflight center in greenbelt where today is pretty bittersweet because people work there and their jobs could be in question. >>> right now, we've got a cautionary tale. a 28-year-old father of three young children is killed after trying to change a flat tire. >> police say eric vila pulled his car over when another car drifted off the road and slammed right into his vehicle. delia gonsalves is live with a warning for how to avoid this kind of thick. >> reporter: derek, especially during rain showers like right now when visibility can be an issue on the beltway, aaa using this tragedy to remind all of us about safety when we're on the road. it was a horrible scene on the outer loop of the beltway. just before the 95 split thursday evening. police say around 6:00, eric av la and his wife pulled their white cadillac over on the shoulder to repair a flat. they even called some friends who responded in the silver highlander. when suddenly, this toyota camry swerved off the road, colliding into both cars before it erupted in flames. avila died at the

megan mcgrath in greenbelt this morning. megan, thank you. >>> and new today, the search for a carjacking suspect who led police on a wild chase through maryland and part of the district. the actual carjacking happened in odunnton in anne arundel county at 2:20 this morning. two men held up another man at gunpoint and took off in his car. officers eventually caught up to the stolen vehicle and chased the suspects into the district. the suspects crashed in northeast d.c. and bailed out of the car. police caught one of them and they're still looking for the other. all the streets that were closed have reopened. >>> and traffic is moving again on northbound lanes of the baltimore washington parkway after a deadly crash closed the major roadway. one person was killed and three others seriously hurt when the car they were in flew off the road and into the woods near route 197 in laurel. investigators are still piecing together what led up to that crash. >>> a man is dead after he was hit by a car while changing a tire on the belt

in greenbelt, jane watrel, news4. >> up next, innocent mistake, or was it intentional?the unexpected end to a local mayor's run for re-election. mayor's ru[ man ] i gottion. this new citi thankyou card and started earning loads of points. you got a weather balloon with points? yes i did. [ man ] points i could use for just about anything. ♪ ♪ there it is. [ man ] so i used mine to get a whole new perspective. ♪ [ male announcer ] the new citi thankyou premier card gives you more ways to earn points. what's your story? citi can help you write it. . >>> if you still plan to travel this summer, now may be the best time to book a late summer get away. southwest is holding a $59 flight sale, and some flights are even lower than that. none of the special fares apply to southwest flights out of dulles, but there are great deals out of bwi marshal airport. right now, for example, you can fly out of baltimore to norfolk for 39 bucks. can you believe that? the deals are available through next thursday, july 14th, and you've got to travel between august 23rd and december 14th. >>>

it holds especially true for workers at nasa workers in greenbelt. megan mcgrath watched the liftoff and has reaction. >> 3, 2, 1, 0 and liftoff! [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: cheers, as "atlantis" left the launch pad. but with this comes an end to the 30-year-old shuttle program. >> it was a phenomenal experience and sort of a sad experience, knowing that 30 years is now ending, and that there has to be a sort of new exploration put in place. it's sad to see, but at the same time, exciting to see that we have been so successful. >> reporter: although the shuttle does not launch from goddard space flight center, the men and women here have played a critical role in the program's success. >> many of us here who have worked on almost every shuttle flight, you know, goddard has had pay loads on 75% of the shuttle flights, and we're on the 135th flight, so we've got a very intimate relationship, not only with the shuttles, but with the people, with the crews, with the whole shuttle family. >> reporter: mike coupleberry has been there for 42 years.

. >> jim will be overseeing communication of shuttle "atlantis" from greenbelt, maryland at the goddard spaceflight center. >> without our communications, they would not be able to speak to the astronauts, they would not be able to launch. >> pass along our congratulations. >> reporter: it is imaging and sounds like these that baumgartner is responsible for. goddard is the lifeline. they have made it possible for all communication, data and astronauts speaking with the johnson space center throughout the shuttle program. goddard is also hitching a ride on atlantis putting its robotic refueling mission payload. >> just this whole cubicle. >> essentially, a big hardware box, the size of a washing machine that will fly on the shuttle and dock on the international space station. its purpose is to service future satellites. >> starting on friday, i will have my team in here so i will be pinning my team 55 minutes into the flight, does everything look good? >> all eyes are on the final mission with goddard and a special role. >> i think i can't believe this is the final space shuttle mission.

. >>> 10,000 workers at the godard space flight center here in greenbelt will be closely watching the historic final watch. it's going to be a bittersweet day for many at the facility. godard has provided most of the technology, engineering and communication's work over the last three decades of shuttle missions. the launch of the shultz program will mean loss of thousands of jobs at country but many at godard facility are expected to be retained. doug is here with more about the stormy weather for some of us and the weather that is expected for tomorrow. >> we saw se pop-up storms during the day today and during the evening, too. some of them even became severe for a time. now most of those have gone by the wayside, showers and storms out there towards the west. happening outside new. first off, partly cloudy skies across the area. you may every once of the n a while see a lightning strikeach to the distance but that's exactly what it is, off to the distance. high temperatures today 95 degrees. the eighth time we've been at 95 degrees so far this year. it's been on the warm side and

. >>> 10,000 workers at the goddard space center in greenbelt will closely watch the launch. it will be a bitter sweet day. goddard has provided most of the engineering and communications work. the loss of the shuttle program will mean the loss of many jobs around the country. but many at the goddard company are expected to remain. >> well, tom, what are your thoughts? look like the clouds are going to move out or forestall that launch? >>> the very latest data coming in are showing a little bit better chance, like a 35%, 40% chance they may launch rather than 30%. i know it still doesn't look good for the launch. right now here we had heavy downpours north of washington. they had some swift water rescues around baltimore last night from very heavy downpours. the rain has ended around the region, sky breaking up a bit. partly cloudy to mostly cloudy sky around the region. 77 degrees at reagan national. still very humid. it's in the low 70s in the nearby suburbs and much of virginia, maryland, now in the low 70s. west virginia, many locations in the 60s. over the last 12 hours

that's the latee from greenbelt. >> thank you so much.oining us with more on this historic mission is kay hire, a veteran of two spicy flights who has logged more than 1200 hours in space. thank you for joining us this morning. good morning. >> good morning >> tell us about mother nature possibly throwing a among owe wrench into the plans today. what are you hearing toi? >> well, it is florida which means that the weather is always changing. we are keeping a close eye on it. the weather is revolving and we'll see what the weather will turn out to be at the time that we have to make our final key significant right before the launch. >> i want to talk about the legacy of the shuttle mission. first, i have to ask be what factors do go in to play? is it simply rain, thunder and lightning? can you tell us what the decision making process is like? >> sure. it's very important that once we launch, we don't have proud that produce lightning or have a vehicle that can be struck by lightning. it climbs pretty quickly. however, we have to have a goo

on oxygen that provide fuel in greenbelt or close to. the miners forty seconds handing off to atlantis is computers at t. minus thirty one. united states the five thirty three cargo plane but you're in the thirty second mark a good year. soon we will see the shuttle begin to warm up read a lot sequencer. three partners. now they stop the clock if they had talked earlier about some inclement weather that might be keeping the shuttle launch from happening very quickly prevailed perhaps we could be seeing a deal right here. the progress. there were perfect there with the crew right now ok what are you going to talk over your group while you are correct please. i don't work for one second we put a verification record. are fully retracted. at this point the crowds are waiting with bated breath to see whether this launch will actually happen or whatever they'll be a slight delay because of the weather and because of the hazy conditions. ok you can buy that will be private. and the word. that we both write about great all right and that it woul

for oxygen at night and fill in greenbelt or closed. he mutters forty seconds getting off to atlantis is computers at t. minus thirty one. united thirty five thirty three appropriately you're in the thirty second article about your. soon we will see you the shuttle begin to warm up for a lot sequencer. of the car because with this. now they stop the clock and they had talked earlier about some inclement weather that might be keeping the shuttle launch from happening per the old perhaps we could be seeing a dinner right here. at the right perfectly. there where are they there with the crew right there ok but it was quite overt you can verify oh you are correct we are. and our our reckon we prepare a paper record. or we practice. at this kind of the crowds are waiting with bated breath to see whether it was luck or actually happen to be a slight delay because of the weather and because of the hazy conditions. ok you can buy that or retract it. from the word. but we program pretty all right and i think that it would be if you could current

they're the scientists and engineers at the goddard space center in greenbelt. >> reporter: four astronaults settled into the shuttle atlantis. hundreds ever nasa employees at the goddard space flight center, settled in to watch. they filled shuttle cargo bays. >> it's a bittersweet end. and we've got a rich, rich history here at goddard with the shuttle program. we've got pay loads on probably 75% of the flights. >> reporter: and this would be the last. the 135th shuttle flight. >> nine, eight, seven, six, five -- all three engines, up and burning. two, one, zero. and liftoff. the final liftoff of atlantis. [ applause ] >> it really demonstrated what this country can do when we apply the best of everything we had. >> reporter: but atlantis flew on something more than that today. it flew on emotion. >> i was very emotional. yeah, i cried. >> i'm one of the many scientists at goddard that really don't remember the apocalypse program. so for me, the shuttle is one of the huge reasons why i became a scientist. >> reporter: understanding why it's time for the shuttle to leave. >> it's the end of

all the way to greenbelt, your lanes are open. traffic is moving at a good pace.'ll have an update on an accident on the outer loop at route 236 in my next report. you're watching 9news now. stay with us. [ female announcer ] keurig brews more than just hot coffee. now you can brew over ice for delicious iced coffee or tea. hot or cold, keurig is the way to brew everyone's favorite cup in under a minute. choose. brew. enjoy. keurig. >>> it is 6:30 on this tuesday morning. this is always the place to get your weather first. here's a live look at fairfax, virginia by the camp washington center. >> thanks for starting your day with us. mike and angie are off today. >> i'm andrea roane. howard bernstein is on the weather terrace with our forecast. >> good morning. it is a very comfortable morning out here. low 70s in northwest. sunshine is out a couple of clouds. it will be another good day. like yesterday we had all of the clouds. unlike yesterday, we'll have sunshine, a lot more today and temperatures again near that 90 degree mark. the day planner is calling for th

. >> reporter: he will be overseeing communication of shuttle atlantis from greenbelt maryland at thegoddard space center. >> they would not be able to speak to the astronauts, they would not be able to launch without it. >> passing along our congratulations. >> reporter: goddard is the life line. they have made it possible for all communication, data and astronaut's speaking with the johnson space center throughout the shuttle program. goddard is also hitching a ride on atlantis putting its robotic refueling mission pay load. >> just this whole cubicle is a big cube. >> reporter: essentially a big hardware box the size of a washing montana that will fly on the shuttle and dock on the international space station. its purpose is to service future satellites. >> starting on friday i will have my team in here. so automatic going to be doing that 55 minutes into the flight. did everything work good? >> all eyes on the final mission with goddard and a special role. >> i can't believe this is the final space shuttle mission. just a magical piece of hardware. amazing thing. we will lose it.

. >> they'll be watch tpg closely in greenbelt, maryland. home to the goddard nasa space center. it makes voice and data communication in houston possible. people there say this mission is a bittersweet one. >> what happens with me is i get so focused on making sure nothing gets missed for our mission that i haven't had a chance. i see it is the final mission but it hasn't processed in my brain yet. do i have the paperwork done? >> weather permitting, this will be the 135th launch of the space shuttle program. >>> our kristin fisher is in florida. she'll have live reports beginning tonight at 7:00 and we'll be talking with her tomorrow morning. if it goes off tomorrow, it is scheduled for 11:26 a.m. >> fingers crossed. >> here's a look at what's still ahead in the next hour of 9news now. >> sniffling and sneezing in the summertime. a health alert on summer colds and summer allergies. >> facebook founder has promised an awesome new development. at 6:37, find out what awesome is. >>> up next, anny hong has our weather forecast. ú >> by 9:00, temperatures in the lower 80s. by 3:00,

they're the scientists and engineers at the goddard space flight center in greenbelt. alex demetrick explains today's final liftoff in the 30-year relationship. >> we can see here, chris ferguson getting put into a seat. >> reporter: hundreds of nasa employees settled in to watch. mike weis has spent three decades, filling in cargo base. >> it's a bittersweet end. and we've got a rich, rich history here at goddard, with the shuttle program. we've paid on probably 75% of the shuttle flights. and this would be the last. the 135th shuttle flight. >> nine, eight, seven, six, five -- all three engines up and burning. two, one, zero. and liftoff. the final liftoff of atlantis. [ applause ] >> it really demonstrated what this country can do when we apply the best of everything we had. >> reporter: but atlantis climbed on something more than that today. it flew on emotion. >> i was very emotional. yeah, i cried. >> i'm one of the many scientists at goddard that don't really remember the apollo program. so for me the shuttle was it. >> it took the end of a wonderful era in spac

. >>> 10,000 workers as the g goddard space flight center in greenbelt will be watching the launch.hey have provided much of the technology, engineering, and communications work over the last 30 years of shuttle missions. the loss of the shuttle program will mean the loss of thousands around the country, but many at the goddard facility are expected to be retained. watch "news 4 midday" for coverage of the final shuttle launch. once again, the shuttle is scheduled to launch at 11:26. >>> 6:18 now. this morning a tragic reminder of just how important it is to be careful while going for a ball at a baseball game. a fan in texas died after falling out of the stands while trying to catch a ball. we have video of the incident, and we want to warn you it may be difficult to watch. the fan tried to catch a ball tossed to him by texas rangers outfielder josh hamilton. he fell head first about 20 feet and landed onto concrete behind a 14-foot high wall supporting a video board. paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he died. >>> the d.c. council is considering a proposal that would lice

in greenbelt, jane watrel, news4. >>> the mayor of rockville, maryland is speaking out about an incidentshe was not expecting today. phyllis marcucio was at the rockville town square today, announcing her re-election campaign. but her routine speech took a turn when a water fountain that was supposed to be turned off unexpectedly came on. her guests and supporters were all doused. the mayor is dismissing any claims of sabotage. >> oh, i think it's been one of the funniest, best campaign launches i've ever been through. we'll talk about this one for a long time. >> city manager scott uluri has announced plans to retire december 2nd after seven years with rockville. he says the timing has nothing to do with the fountain incident that disrupted the mayor's announceme announcement. >> how much more coverage did the mayor's campaign relaunch get because of that? >> kind of worked out that way, didn't it? >>> coming up, the case of the stolen picasso sketch has been cracked. the how the outfit tipped off police. >>> a man mauled in a rare grizzly bear attack a >> so, ah, your seat good? got th

. >>> 10,000 workers at the goddard space flight center in greenbelt will watch the historic launch.hen and if it does occur, it will be a bitter sweet day for many at this facility. goddard has provided most of the technology, engineering, and communications work over the last 30 years of the shuttle missions. the loss of the shuttle program will mean the loss of thousands of jobs around the country, but many at the goddard facility are expected to be retained. and be sure to watch "news 4 midday" for coverage on the final launch of the shuttle and check out nbcwashington.com, of course, for the very latest. >>> in the day ahead, in montgomery county are the woman charged with killing her coworker in bethesda will be in court. brittany norwood is accused of killing jana murphy at the lululemon store in march. police say she killed murray after a fight after murray found suspected stolen items in norwood's bag. norwood tried to hide the murder by tying herself up and blaming the attack on two masked men. the store reopened last month. >>> two cold cases closed. a prince george's coun

g very nicely through greenbelt at landover silver spring. the vein, no delays on 95. this is in case you want to head out of town. to 66, the greenway, w yorkll road and a ne avenue, if you're commuting into town, and inbound accident is street andth capitol e exit for i-395 . traffic is getting by but it is delayed. sunshine out there this with temperatures not so bad and similar to the last couple of mornings. winchester is 64 degrees. we are climbing into the 60's and outlying areas. martinsburg is still 59 degrees. of sunshine today and will warm, near 90, and within the beltway, lord 90's but at least be too humid. will change tomorrow as we gradually increase timidity on hazy, hot, humid sunday be upper 90's on of storms late sunday into early monday. new red light cameras are today in northern virginia. three new cameras are in place arelexandria and two others fairfax city. you combine to were those cameras are by going on to wjla.com. we will be back with another update at 8:27. for continuous news coverage, tune in to news channel