Local News
Victims killed in Platte River plane crash identified
DODGE COUNTY, NE — Authorities have identified the three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on the Platte River late Friday evening.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) confirmed the victims as 43-year-old Daniel Williams of Moundridge, Kansas; 50-year-old Jeff Bittinger of Fremont, Nebraska; and 48-year-old Randy Amrein, also of Fremont.
The fatal crash occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Friday, when a small aircraft went down in the Platte River, just south of Fremont.
Multiple emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Sgt. Brie Frank with the DCSO stated that several agencies, including air and water rescue units, were involved in the coordinated response effort.
Airboats were deployed to navigate the river, and an Omaha Police Department helicopter provided aerial support to survey the crash site.
Assisting agencies included the Waterloo and Valley Fire Departments, the Nebraska State Patrol, and additional regional emergency services.
The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have assumed control of the investigation and will conduct a thorough analysis to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.
No further details have been released at this time.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area while recovery and investigative efforts continue.
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.