Local News
24-year-old Katelan Phares dies after motorcycle slams into guardrail on West Side
Columbus, Ohio – A 24-year-old woman tragically lost her life following a motorcycle crash on Columbus’ West Side Friday evening, according to the Columbus Police Department.
The victim, identified as Katelan Phares, was traveling eastbound on Scioto Darby Creek Road near the intersection of Woodson Drive when she lost control of her motorcycle while navigating a left-hand curve.
According to an official police statement, Phares’ BMW S 1000 motorcycle slid into a guardrail, causing her to be thrown from the vehicle.
The motorcycle then landed on top of her.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Phares to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition.
Despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at 6:08 p.m.
The Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.
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.