Local News
Joseph “Jody” Ray Clardy Jr Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Highway 413 in Anderson County, Truck Driver Charged With Felony DUI
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have identified the motorcyclist killed in a crash involving a pickup truck early Friday morning in Anderson County as 56-year-old Joseph “Jody” Ray Clardy Jr. of Anderson.
According to the Anderson County Coroner’s Office, Clardy died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the collision.
The coroner ruled the fatal crash an accident.
Investigators said Clardy was operating a 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Highway 413 traveling toward Belton when a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 attempted to make a left turn onto Haynie Drive.
Authorities said the pickup truck, driven by Nelson Daniel Cooley, collided with the motorcycle, causing Clardy to be ejected from the bike.
Emergency crews from the Rock Springs Fire Department, Medshore Ambulance Service, Anderson County EMS, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the crash scene at the intersection of Haynie Drive and Highway 413.
First responders arrived to find Clardy lying unconscious on the ground. Despite emergency efforts, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Authorities later charged Nelson Daniel Cooley with felony DUI resulting in death in connection with the crash.
Clardy was remembered by many in the community as a former paramedic with Medshore Ambulance Service, where he previously served helping others during medical emergencies.
The fatal motorcycle crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol as authorities continue reviewing evidence surrounding the deadly collision near Belton.
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.