Local News
19-Year-Old Alejandro Hooper Killed in Head-On Motorcycle Crash in Baldwin County
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. — A 19-year-old Summerdale man was killed in a head-on motorcycle crash late Saturday night in Baldwin County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The victim was identified as Alejandro Juaquin Pineda Hooper, 19, of Summerdale.
Authorities said the fatal collision occurred at approximately 9:59 p.m. on May 16 along U.S. Highway 31 near the 11-mile marker, about two miles north of the Loxley city limits.
According to preliminary findings from troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Highway Patrol Division, Hooper was riding a 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when it collided head-on with a 2017 Hyundai Elantra.
Investigators identified the driver of the Hyundai as 39-year-old Jennifer A. Stearns of Gainesville, Georgia.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and pronounced Hooper dead due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Authorities said Stearns was injured in the collision and transported to USA Health University Hospital for medical treatment.
The crash caused a significant emergency response along U.S. 31 as troopers and first responders worked to investigate the scene and assist those involved.
Officials have not yet released additional details regarding what may have caused the head-on collision.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate the fatal Baldwin County motorcycle 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.