Local News
Victims Identified in Fatal Helicopter Crash in Remote Mountains Near Superior
Four people were killed after a privately owned helicopter crashed in a remote mountainous area east of the Valley late Friday morning, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
Authorities identified the pilot as 59-year-old David McCarty of Queen Creek.
The three passengers were his family members: Rachel McCarty, 22; Faith McCarty, 21; and Katelyn Heideman, 21.
All four were pronounced deceased at the scene.
PCSO officials confirmed the helicopter departed from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek prior to the crash.
Preliminary information indicates the aircraft went down around 11 a.m. in the mountains near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior.
According to investigators, the helicopter struck a recreational slackline that was more than half a mile long and strung across the mountain range.
An eyewitness contacted 911 after observing the aircraft hit the line before descending into the canyon below. Initial reports suggest the impact caused a rotor blade to separate, leading the helicopter to overturn before crashing into the mountainside.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft was an MD 369FF helicopter and stated that four people were on board at the time of the crash.
Deputies and search-and-rescue teams responded immediately; however, access to the site was significantly delayed due to steep, rugged terrain. Rescue crews reached the remote crash location at approximately 5 p.m., and officials confirmed the fatalities several hours later.
As a precaution, the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the area to ensure airspace safety during recovery and investigative operations.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are jointly investigating the incident.
The NTSB will lead the investigation and is expected to release additional information as the inquiry progresses.
Authorities have expressed condolences to the victims’ family as recovery efforts and the investigation 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.