Local News
Two Killed in Private Helicopter Crash Near Uvalde/Kinney County Line
Uvalde, TX – Two people lost their lives after a private helicopter crashed near the Uvalde/Kinney County line on Thursday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Robinson R44 – a four-seat helicopter – went down at approximately 1:20 p.m.
First responders, including sheriff’s deputies from Kinney and Uvalde counties, Department of Public Safety personnel, fire, and EMS crews, arrived at the crash site around 2:45 p.m.
The helicopter crashed on private property along Highway 90, approximately 12 miles west of Uvalde, Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe reported.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot, a resident of Uvalde, and the passenger, who was from Florida, were the only individuals on board.
Their identities have not yet been publicly released.
The aircraft was owned by Holt Helicopters, a company based about 20 minutes west of the crash site.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
A preliminary report could be available as soon as Friday.
The owners of Harris Ranch Uvalde, where the helicopter reportedly crashed, have confirmed that no individuals affiliated with Hometown Heroes Outdoors – a nonprofit that provides hunting excursions for first responders and veterans – were on board at the time of the accident.
More details will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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.