Local News
10-year-old Bella Cassell and 31-year-old Callie Durbin killed in Bossier Parish UTV Crash
Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal UTV crash that claimed the lives of two individuals and left a juvenile injured Saturday evening in Bossier Parish.
According to Troop G, the crash occurred on April 11, 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m. along Merritt Road near Merry Lane in Benton.
Troopers responded to the scene and began a preliminary investigation into the single-vehicle incident.
Authorities reported that a 2012 Polaris Ranger Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) was traveling eastbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control.
The vehicle exited the roadway and overturned, resulting in all occupants being ejected.
The driver, identified as 10-year-old Bella Cassell of Benton, was not restrained and was not wearing a DOT-approved helmet at the time of the crash.
She sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
A front-seat passenger, 31-year-old Callie Durbin, also of Benton, was likewise unrestrained and not wearing a helmet. She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second juvenile passenger, who was also unrestrained and not wearing a helmet, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Investigators stated that impairment is not currently suspected as a contributing factor; however, routine toxicology samples were collected and submitted for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
The crash remains under active investigation as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at UrbanaโChampaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. โ 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 Coronerโs 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 Coronerโs 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 Rodriguezโs 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 Rodriguezโs 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.