Local News
Jefferson County school bus carrying students from Minor Elementary School overturned in a ravine
A Jefferson County school bus carrying students from Minor Elementary School overturned in a ravine on Friday morning, following a collision with a pickup truck. The incident occurred at 7:18 a.m. on Mulga Loop Road, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
Officials confirmed that the students on board the bus were evaluated and reported to be unharmed.
However, a school employee suffered minor injuries during the accident.
The crash also involved a pickup truck, whose driver sustained the most severe injuries in the incident. Rescue crews worked to free the truck driver from their vehicle before transporting them to a local hospital.
Additionally, two children and two adults, including the school employee, were taken to area hospitals for further evaluation and treatment.
One student in a wheelchair was briefly trapped on the overturned bus but was successfully freed by first responders.
The circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation. Authorities have not released further details about the condition of the injured individuals or the exact cause of the accident.
Local officials are working closely with the Jefferson County School District to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved. Families of the students have been notified, and the district is offering support services to those affected by the traumatic event.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.