Local News
Multiple Fatalities Reported in Tour Bus Rollover on I-90 West in Pembroke
PEMBROKE, N.Y. – Officials have confirmed multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries after a tour bus rollover crash on the New York State Thruway (I-90 Westbound) near mile marker 403.9 in Pembroke.
The incident, declared a mass casualty incident (MCI), involved a tour bus and a tractor-trailer and has prompted one of the largest emergency responses in the region in recent years.
According to emergency command, the crash occurred Sunday afternoon and left numerous passengers ejected from the bus, while others remained trapped in and beneath the vehicle.
The tour bus had been carrying up to 52 passengers, prompting a large-scale rescue and medical operation.
All four Mercy Flight helicopters were requested to the scene, with additional air support including LifeNet 77 and LifeNet 7 placed on standby or en route.
At least six helicopters in total were mobilized to transport critically injured patients to area trauma centers, including Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) and Strong Memorial Hospital.
Ground support was bolstered with multiple ALS (Advanced Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) ambulances from across Genesee, Monroe, Wyoming, Orleans, and Niagara Counties. Command confirmed at least 18 patients have already been transported to area hospitals.
Fire departments and rescue crews from Pembroke, Indian Falls, Newstead, Corfu, Darien, Millgrove, Wolcottsville, Clarence, Bowmansville, Town of Batavia, LeRoy, and others were dispatched.
Heavy rescue equipment was requested to assist with entrapment, including airbags and specialized extraction tools. Reports indicate patients were pinned under the bus, requiring technical rescue operations.
ECMC deployed physicians directly to the scene to assist with triage and emergency care.
Student Transportation buses were dispatched to transport non-injured passengers, escorted by police.
Interpreters were on site to assist non-English-speaking victims.
Regional hospitals and trauma centers were placed on alert status to prepare for a surge of incoming patients.
Multiple fire departments were repositioned throughout the county to provide coverage for unrelated emergency calls while resources were committed to the crash.
At least 18 patients have been transported from the scene.
Several passengers remain in critical condition.
Multiple agencies remain on-site working to stabilize the scene, extricate victims, and investigate the cause of the rollover.
Authorities have urged motorists to avoid the area and to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. The crash has caused significant disruption on the New York State Thruway.
Officials emphasized that certain radio transmissions and operational details are being withheld to protect the privacy of the victims and their families.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, led by the New York State Police in coordination with federal and local authorities.
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.