Local News
44-year-old Patches Ford Killed in Crash With Tractor-Trailer in East Jefferson County
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — A 44-year-old woman from Guntersville was killed following a crash involving a tractor-trailer in east Jefferson County on Thursday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Patches Rachelle Ford, 44, of Guntersville, Alabama.
According to officials, the fatal collision occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on May 14 along Alabama 79 at Narrows Road in the Pinson area of east Jefferson County.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene after reports of a serious crash involving a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer.
Authorities said Ford sustained critical injuries in the collision and was transported to UAB Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, Ford was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1:39 p.m.
Officials have not yet released additional details regarding how the crash occurred or what may have led to the collision with the tractor-trailer.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly wreck. Investigators are expected to review evidence from the crash scene and determine whether any contributing factors played a role in the incident.
The death of Patches Rachelle Ford has left family members and the Guntersville community mourning as authorities continue their investigation into the fatal Alabama 79 crash near Pinson.
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.