Local News
74-year-old Christopher Yates hit and killed by driver during protest near Libbie Mill in Henrico
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Authorities are investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 74-year-old man during a protest Friday evening near Libbie Mill in Henrico County.
According to the Henrico County Police Division, the incident occurred around 5 p.m. near the intersection of Staples Mill Road and Libbie Mill East Boulevard, close to a Wawa convenience store.
Police identified the victim as Christopher “Chris” L. Yates, 74, of Henrico County.
Investigators confirmed that Yates was participating in a gathering and protest in the area at the time of the crash.
According to authorities, he stepped into the roadway before being struck by an SUV traveling through the intersection.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Yates suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the location of the collision.
Witnesses and social media posts indicated that Yates had been protesting alongside a group of friends.
Online tributes described the incident as heartbreaking, with reports stating that members of his family, including his wife and children, witnessed the tragedy unfold.
Police said the driver of the SUV remained at the scene following the collision and is cooperating fully with investigators.
The Henrico Police Crash Team is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal pedestrian crash.
Authorities have not announced whether any charges are expected as the investigation remains active.
Officials are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000.
The sudden death of Christopher “Chris” Yates has left family members, friends, and members of the local community mourning after the tragic incident near Libbie Mill.
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.