Local News
Oklahoma City I-35 Crash Victims Identified
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Authorities are investigating a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 that claimed the lives of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, a woman, and her young child Wednesday morning.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), the crash occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. on I-35 between Britton Road and Hefner Road.
Investigators have determined that the incident began when debris or equipment—believed to have fallen from a commercial vehicle—ended up on the roadway, creating a hazardous situation for approaching traffic.
Officials say 36-year-old Mercedes Bayne, of Oklahoma City, was traveling southbound when she either attempted to avoid the debris or reacted to vehicles slowing ahead of her.
During this maneuver, her vehicle crossed the center cable barrier and entered the northbound lanes, where it collided head-on with a patrol unit driven by Trooper Vernon Brake.
The impact was fatal.
Trooper Brake, Bayne, and her 4-year-old daughter, Ariana, were all pronounced deceased at the scene.
Trooper Brake had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for nearly two decades, having graduated from the agency’s 56th Academy in 2006.
Much of his career was dedicated to commercial motor vehicle enforcement.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Bayne is being remembered by loved ones as a devoted mother and a woman of strong faith.
She was a graduate of Putnam City West High School and had recently completed the esthetician program at Paul Mitchell The School in Norman, an accomplishment family members say she was proud of as she worked to build a better future for her children.
Investigators initially sought the public’s assistance in identifying a commercial vehicle that may have been involved, either as the source of the debris or as a vehicle that stopped in the area.
By Wednesday evening, authorities confirmed that the truck in question had been identified.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s Traffic Homicide Unit is leading the investigation, and officials have indicated the crash is being treated as a crime scene as they continue to examine all contributing factors.
Law enforcement agencies across the state have expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
In a statement, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office extended support to Trooper Brake’s colleagues and loved ones, honoring his service and dedication.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the crash.
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.