Local News
34-year-old Chantal McCray killed after struck by freight train in southwest Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Authorities have identified the woman who was killed after being struck by a freight train Wednesday morning in southwest Birmingham.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the victim was identified as 34-year-old Chantal Janay McCray of Jacksonville, Florida.
The fatal incident occurred around 8:23 a.m. in the 3900 block of Bessemer Avenue, near Jefferson Avenue in southwest Birmingham.
Officials said a southbound Norfolk Southern freight train struck McCray while she was standing on the railroad tracks. Investigators later located her body approximately 100 yards away from the intersection where authorities believe the impact initially occurred.
Emergency personnel from the Birmingham Police Department, Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene following reports of the collision.
McCray was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:51 a.m., according to the coroner’s office.
Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine exactly what happened before the train struck the victim.
The tragic incident caused a significant emergency response in the area as investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence related to the fatal collision.
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.