Local News
Three Killed in Crash on Tobacco Road in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. — A late-night crash in Richmond County left three people dead after two vehicles collided along Tobacco Road, authorities confirmed.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene at approximately 11:17 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Preliminary reports indicate that a vehicle traveling westbound on Tobacco Road collided with another vehicle that was attempting to turn left onto Tobacco Road from Morgan Road.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office confirmed that two occupants in the westbound vehicle were killed, along with one individual in the second vehicle.
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials reported that one of the vehicles caught fire following the impact, complicating the identification process.
Positive identification of the victims in that vehicle will require further forensic examination.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased pending official identification and notification of next of kin.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under active investigation as officials work to determine contributing factors.
Additional details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
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.