Local News
Richard Futrell Jr Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on Highway 119 in Clay County
Richard Allen Futrell Jr., a resident of Piggott, Arkansas, was killed Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash involving an SUV and a tractor-trailer in Clay County, according to the Arkansas State Police.
The fatal collision occurred around 4:40 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway 119 and Clay 508 near Rector.
According to a preliminary crash report released by Arkansas State Police, Futrell was driving a 2008 Volvo XC90 northbound on Highway 119 behind a 2007 International tractor-trailer.
Investigators said the tractor-trailer began making a right turn when the Volvo failed to slow down and collided with the right side of the trailer.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene following the crash, but Futrell suffered fatal injuries in the collision.
Authorities confirmed that his next of kin have been notified.
The Arkansas State Police noted that weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the accident.
Officials have not yet released additional information regarding possible contributing factors, and the crash remains under investigation.
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.