Local News
At least one person killed in plane crash at Scottsdale airport
Scottsdale, AZ – The Scottsdale Municipal Airport remains closed following a deadly plane crash involving two private jets on Monday, February 10, 2025.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the airport after reports of a mid-air or ground collision involving a Learjet 35A and a Gulfstream 200 business jet.
According to Scottsdale officials, at least one fatality has been confirmed, though the total number of passengers and injuries remain unverified.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the following statement:
“A Learjet 35A veered off the runway after landing and crashed into a Gulfstream 200 business jet on the ramp at Scottsdale Municipal Airport in Arizona around 2:45 p.m. local time Monday, Feb. 10. We do not know how many people were on board. The FAA is temporarily pausing flights into the airport.”
The accident comes at a time of high private jet activity in the area, coinciding with the WM Phoenix Open Golf Tournament.
Many private jets were stationed at Scottsdale and nearby general aviation airports due to an influx of professional golfers, corporate sponsors, high-profile attendees, and media personnel.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available.
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.