Local News
Seven killed, one survived in Bangor plane crash
Seven passengers were killed and one crew member survived following a plane crash Sunday night at Bangor International Airport in Maine, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet that crashed while attempting to take off from the airport shortly before 8:00 p.m. local time.
The jet, which was owned by Arnold & Itkin LLP, a Houston-based law firm, was carrying a total of eight people at the time of the accident.
Officials initially stated that the conditions of those on board were unknown; however, the FAA later confirmed that seven passengers were fatally injured and that one crew member survived.
Flight records indicate the aircraft departed Houston earlier in the day and arrived at Bangor International Airport at approximately 6:09 p.m.
The crash occurred less than two hours later during a subsequent takeoff attempt. It remains unclear why the aircraft was preparing to depart again so soon after landing.
Bangor International Airport confirmed at 8:25 p.m. that an incident involving an aircraft was under investigation and stated that emergency responders were actively working at the scene.
Airport officials urged the public to avoid the area, noting that the runway had been closed as a result of the crash.
Images from the scene showed a significant emergency response on the runway, with smoke visible in the vicinity of the aircraft.
Weather conditions at the time included heavy snow, though authorities have not confirmed whether weather played a role in the incident. Several local residents reported hearing a loud boom and described what sounded like an explosion at the time of the crash.
According to aviation tracking data, the aircraft is registered to Arnold & Itkin LLP. It has not been confirmed whether any employees or representatives of the law firm were among the passengers.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have announced that they will conduct a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
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.