Local News
37-year-old Amber Gogel killed in head-on crash in Spencer County
SAINT MEINRAD, Indiana — A tragic two-vehicle collision in Spencer County claimed the life of a Dale woman and left another driver seriously injured Monday evening, according to authorities.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. on State Road 162, just north of State Road 62 and west of Saint Meinrad.
Preliminary findings from the Indiana State Police indicate that Amber Gogel, 37, of Dale, was traveling northbound in an SUV when her vehicle crossed the center line for unknown reasons and collided head-on with a southbound vehicle.
Gogel was pronounced dead at the scene by responding officials.
The driver of the second vehicle, Amanda Kern, 40, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Deaconess Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities reported that she was in stable condition as of Tuesday.
The Spencer County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for Gogel as part of the investigation.
Trooper Levi Hupp of the Indiana State Police is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Claus Police Department, and Spencer County EMS.
Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including possible contributing factors.
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.