Local News
Victims killed in predawn Jefferson County crash identified
JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A tragic single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in northern Jefferson County claimed the lives of two teenagers and left six others injured, prompting an outpouring of grief and support across the community.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the victims as Treylen Anderson Floyd, 18, and Tristan Drake Cox, 19.
Both young men were recent graduates of Corner High School, where they were known as student-athletes and active members of their school community.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene of the crash at approximately 2:58 a.m. on Mt. Olive Road near Partridge Loop.
The vehicle, a pickup truck carrying eight teenagers, had veered off the roadway and struck a utility pole.
Floyd and Cox were pronounced dead at the scene at 3:24 a.m.
The remaining six occupants—one male and five females, all between the ages of 16 and 19—were transported to UAB Hospital with injuries that, according to investigators, are not believed to be life-threatening.
The sheriff’s office reported that the preliminary investigation indicates the crash was a single-vehicle incident involving a loss of control, causing the truck to leave the road and impact the pole.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the community has come together in mourning. Tributes and prayers for the victims and their families have flooded social media.
New Bethel Baptist Church shared on Facebook,
“Please join us in prayer for the families of the young people from Corner who were tragically killed and injured in an automobile accident early this morning. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this immense loss. May God’s comfort and peace surround them during this incredibly difficult time.”
On Sunday evening, HighPoint Community Church opened its sanctuary to the public, offering a space for collective prayer and reflection for the families and the broader community impacted by the loss.
Gardendale Mayor Stan Hogeland also expressed his condolences, writing,
“My heart breaks for the families of the kids and the entire Corner community. Please pray for all involved. I can’t imagine the pain.”
Support services and grief counseling are expected to be made available to students and families in the coming days as the Corner community grapples with the devastating loss of two of its young members.
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.