Local News
34-year-old Rebekah Petrick killed in Ormond Beach crash
ORMOND BEACH, Florida — A 34-year-old woman from Holly Hill was killed Sunday morning in a two-vehicle crash at a busy Ormond Beach intersection, according to the Ormond Beach Police Department.
Officers responded at approximately 11:47 a.m. on April 26, 2026, to the intersection of South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive following reports of a collision involving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a sedan.
Authorities identified the SUV driver as Rebekah Petrick, 34, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under active investigation as officials work to determine the cause.
Police confirmed that a passenger in the SUV and the driver of the sedan were both injured and transported to a nearby hospital.
Their conditions have not been fully disclosed.
The sedan driver is cooperating with investigators, officials said.
“Our thoughts are with everyone involved,” said Jesse Godfrey. “This remains an active investigation, and we are diligently working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.”
According to family and community members, Petrick was returning home from church at the time of the crash.
She was a member of Harbor Baptist Church, where her father serves as pastor. Church members described her as an active participant in community and faith-based activities.
Petrick also worked as a marketing director for Chick-fil-A, where she was involved in outreach efforts. She was known for teaching children’s classes at her church and participating in a family musical group.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact investigators. Tips can be directed to Officer Jack Lyster via email at Jack.Lyster@ormondbeach.org or by phone at (386) 229-7173.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.
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.