Local News
33-year-old Deairio Loggins killed in two-vehicle Union Parish crash
FARMERVILLE, La. — A two-vehicle crash in Union Parish on the morning of May 1, 2026, claimed the life of a 33-year-old Bernice man, according to Louisiana State Police.
Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F responded shortly after 11:00 a.m. to the crash on Louisiana Highway 15, just north of Louisiana Highway 549. The victim has been identified as Deairio Loggins, 33, of Bernice.
Preliminary findings indicate that Loggins was driving a 2012 Nissan Altima southbound on Louisiana Highway 15 when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway.
Authorities say Loggins attempted to correct his path by steering left but overcorrected, causing the vehicle to cross both lanes and enter the northbound lane.
The Nissan then moved directly into the path of an oncoming 2021 Chevrolet Blazer traveling northbound.
The Chevrolet struck the Nissan in the northbound lane, resulting in a severe collision.
Loggins, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Chevrolet Blazer, who was properly restrained, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Louisiana State Police confirmed that the crash remains under active investigation.
Troopers continue to examine all contributing factors, including roadway conditions and driver actions at the time of the incident.
Authorities also took the opportunity to remind motorists of the importance of seatbelt use, noting that proper restraint can significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries in serious crashes.
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.