Local News
Mike Elbert, Rachel Elbert and their 10-year-old daughter killed in head-on Franklin County crash
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. — A tragic two-vehicle crash in Franklin County on Monday night claimed the lives of three individuals, including a 10-year-old child, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).
The collision occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. along Missouri Route 100, east of Dundee Road.
Preliminary findings from MSHP indicate that a 2011 Nissan Sentra, traveling eastbound, crossed over the center line for reasons that remain under investigation and collided head-on with a westbound 2020 Ford Explorer.
Following the impact, the Ford Explorer was forced off the right side of the roadway and came to rest in a nearby ditch.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and began lifesaving efforts.
Authorities confirmed that three occupants of the Nissan—all from Hermann, Missouri—were involved in the crash.
They have been identified as 47-year-old Mike Elbert, 42-year-old Rachel Elbert, and their 10-year-old daughter.
Both adults were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The child was transported to St. Louis Children’s Hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the Ford Explorer, a 70-year-old woman from New Haven, Missouri, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Washington for treatment.
The loss has had a profound impact on the local community.
The 10-year-old victim was a student at Hermann Elementary School, while Mike Elbert served as a volunteer assistant football coach at Hermann High School.
In response to the tragedy, the Gasconade County R-1 School District deployed additional counseling services to support students, staff, and families.
“It is definitely a sad day for that family—a sad day for our school district,” Superintendent Dr. Geoff Neill said in a statement.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding 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.