Local News
35-year-old Michael Duncan killed after crash on I-71 in Delaware County
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) has provided new information regarding a tragic three-vehicle collision that occurred Sunday evening on Interstate 71 in Delaware County.
The incident happened around 5 p.m. near the Tanger Outlets and the U.S.-36/State Route 37 exit in Berkshire Township.
According to OSHP, 35-year-old Michael Duncan was driving a black Hyundai Tucson northbound on I-71 when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle.
Duncan’s vehicle crossed the median, overturned, struck the median cable barrier, and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado traveling southbound.
The Hyundai came to rest in the middle of the southbound lanes, while the Chevrolet veered off the left side of the highway.
A southbound Toyota Tacoma was hit by debris from the collision.
Michael Duncan was pronounced deceased at the scene. OSHP reported that Duncan was not wearing a seatbelt.
- Injured:
- Two passengers in the Hyundai—a 38-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl—sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital.
- The driver and passenger of the Chevrolet Silverado were also seriously injured and hospitalized.
- The driver and passenger of the Toyota Tacoma were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The crash prompted the closure of all southbound lanes of I-71 for approximately three hours as responders worked to clear the scene. Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including:
- Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
- Delaware Fire & EMS
- BST&G Fire and EMS
- Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
OSHP is continuing its investigation to determine what caused Duncan to lose control of the Hyundai. Authorities noted that all individuals, except Duncan, were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of road safety and highlights the collective efforts of first responders in handling such emergencies. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
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.