Local News
Jonathon Puente and Edgardo Reyes-Rivera Killed in Head-On Crash on Louisiana Highway 27 in Calcasieu Parish
Jonathon Puente, a 35-year-old man from Beaumont, Texas, and Edgardo Reyes-Rivera, 23, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, were killed Friday afternoon in a devastating head-on collision on Louisiana Highway 27, according to the Louisiana State Police .
Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to the fatal two-vehicle crash shortly after 3:30 p.m. on May 8 near Natalie Road in Calcasieu Parish.
Preliminary findings from investigators indicate that Reyes-Rivera was driving a 2022 Toyota Camry northbound on Highway 27 while Puente was traveling southbound in a 2014 BMW 550i.
According to state police, the Toyota crossed the centerline for reasons that remain under investigation and entered the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with the BMW.
Authorities said Reyes-Rivera was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He sustained critical injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, where he later died from his injuries.
Puente, who investigators said was properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries in the violent collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.
As part of standard investigative procedures, toxicology samples were collected from both drivers and submitted for laboratory analysis.
Officials have not yet released the results or confirmed whether impairment may have been a factor in the crash.
The Louisiana State Police stated that the investigation into the deadly crash remains ongoing as troopers continue working to determine the exact circumstances that caused the Toyota to cross into oncoming traffic.
Following the crash, state police reminded motorists about the importance of safe and attentive driving.
Troopers urged drivers to avoid distractions behind the wheel and emphasized that wearing seat belts significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in traffic collisions.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding road conditions, weather, or whether any other contributing factors were involved at the time of the crash.
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.