Local News
19-month-old child killed in single-vehicle crash on I-96 near Alden Nash in Lowell Township
LOWELL TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Authorities are investigating a tragic single-vehicle crash on Interstate 96 that resulted in the death of a 19-month-old child and left a Lansing woman injured Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Post, troopers responded on April 28, 2026, to a personal injury crash on westbound I-96 near Alden Nash Road in Kent County.
Preliminary findings indicate that a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by a 41-year-old woman from Lansing, was traveling at a high rate of speed and exhibiting erratic driving behavior prior to the crash.
Investigators report that the vehicle veered from the median side of the roadway to the shoulder before leaving the roadway entirely and striking a cluster of trees.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found a 19-month-old female passenger suffering from critical injuries.
First responders immediately initiated life-saving measures, including CPR, before transporting the child to a nearby hospital.
Despite their efforts, the child was later pronounced dead.
The driver was also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and is expected to recover.
Authorities say alcohol and/or drugs are suspected to have been contributing factors in the crash.
Toxicology results are pending, and charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
The westbound lanes of I-96 were closed for approximately 90 minutes while troopers conducted an on-scene investigation and crash reconstruction.
Officials have not released the identities of those involved.
The case remains under active investigation, and further updates are expected as more information becomes 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.