Local News
Antoine Forest identified as one of the two Jazz Aviation pilots killed in Air Canada crash
Newly released video captures the devastating moment Air Canada Flight AC8646 collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of both pilots and left dozens of others injured.
Authorities have identified one of the deceased pilots as Antoine Forest, a native of Coteau-du-Lac.
According to publicly available professional records, Forest had been serving as a first officer with Jazz Aviation since December 2022. Tributes have begun to emerge recognizing his career and contributions to regional aviation.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada, had just arrived from Montreal carrying 72 passengers and four crew members when the collision occurred on an active runway.
Preliminary findings indicate the impact caused catastrophic structural damage to the forward section of the aircraft, reportedly shearing off the nose and killing both the captain and first officer instantly. Newly emerging details further underscore the severity of the crash, including reports that a flight attendant was ejected from the aircraft during the collision.
Multiple sources familiar with the response state that the forward-positioned flight attendant—one of two typically assigned to the CRJ-900—was found outside the aircraft still secured in her jumpseat, suggesting a violent breach of the fuselage upon impact. The second flight attendant, positioned at the rear of the aircraft, is believed to have remained onboard and assisted passengers in the immediate aftermath.
Air traffic control audio has revealed the chaotic sequence of events leading up to the collision. Controllers can reportedly be heard urgently attempting to stop the emergency vehicle, issuing repeated commands as both the aircraft and the fire truck entered the same runway path. The vehicle had allegedly been cleared to cross while responding to a separate in-flight emergency involving another aircraft, raising serious questions about coordination and situational awareness.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, initiating triage procedures for passengers and crew. Dozens were evaluated at the scene, with multiple individuals transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Several victims remained hospitalized following the incident, and injuries were also reported among personnel aboard the fire truck.
In the immediate aftermath, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport to allow emergency operations and secure the crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
In a formal statement, Jazz Aviation President Doug Clarke expressed profound condolences to the families of the deceased pilots, including Forest, and extended support to those injured, reaffirming the company’s full cooperation with federal investigators.
The incident has intensified scrutiny over runway safety protocols, particularly regarding the coordination of emergency vehicle movements and air traffic control decision-making during high-pressure scenarios.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to reconstruct the exact sequence of events and determine the contributing factors behind the fatal collision.
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.