Local News
32-year-old Harry Washington III Killed in Motorcycle Crash In Charles County
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — Maryland State Police are actively investigating a fatal motorcycle crash and searching for a driver who fled the scene following a collision along Maryland Route 210 on Tuesday evening.
Authorities have identified the deceased motorcyclist as 32-year-old Harry Washington III, of Indian Head, Maryland.
Washington was operating a Suzuki motorcycle at the time of the crash.
A 9-year-old girl, believed to be his daughter, was riding as a passenger.
Both Washington and the child were transported by medical helicopter to area hospitals after the collision. Despite emergency efforts, Washington later died from his injuries.
The condition of the young passenger has not been publicly disclosed.
According to preliminary findings, the crash occurred around 7:40 p.m. near the intersection of Maryland Route 210 and Jenkins Lane.
Investigators say an orange 2013 Dodge Dart entered the southbound lanes of Route 210, crossing into the path of the oncoming motorcycle and causing the collision.
Following the crash, both the driver and a passenger in the Dodge Dart fled the scene on foot.
Authorities later confirmed that the passenger, identified as Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43, of White Plains, returned and requested medical assistance. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Dodge Dart remains at large, and state police are urging the public to come forward with any information that could assist in locating the suspect.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation. Officials are asking anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the driver to contact Sergeant Justin Zimmerman at 301-392-1200 or via email at justin.zimmerman@maryland.gov.
Traffic along Route 210 was shut down for nearly three hours as troopers conducted an on-scene investigation and crash reconstruction.
Assistance was provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
In the wake of the crash, Maryland State Police are reminding drivers to practice safe driving habits, including avoiding aggressive, distracted, and impaired driving. Motorcyclists are encouraged to follow the “ATGATT” principle — All The Gear, All The Time — to improve visibility and protection on the road.
Motorists are also urged to remain vigilant, check blind spots, and “look twice” for motorcycles, especially at intersections.
The investigation into the fatal crash remains active and ongoing as authorities work to determine all contributing factors and locate the driver who fled the scene.
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.