Local News
Jaiden Pacheco and Geovani Aponte Jr. Identified as Victims in Fatal Head-On Crash on Route 6 in Chaplin
CHAPLIN, Conn. — Connecticut State Police have identified the two young men who were killed in a head-on collision late Friday night on Route 6 in Chaplin that also left two other people with serious injuries.
The victims were identified as Jaiden Pacheco, 20, of Windham, and Geovani Aponte Jr., 19, of Willimantic.
According to Connecticut State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 11:53 p.m. on Friday, June 26, on Willimantic Road (Route 6) in Chaplin.
The preliminary investigation indicates the collision involved a Hyundai Elantra and a Dodge Journey. The impact was head-on, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.
When emergency responders arrived, they found four occupants inside the Hyundai Elantra, all of whom were unresponsive.
Authorities said Jaiden Pacheco and Geovani Aponte Jr. sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The two remaining occupants of the Hyundai suffered serious injuries and were transported to Hartford Hospital for emergency treatment. Officials have not released their identities or provided updates on their conditions.
The driver of the Dodge Journey sustained minor injuries and was transported to Windham Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The Connecticut State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (C.A.R.S.) responded to the scene to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Investigators are working to determine what caused the vehicles to collide head-on. Authorities have not yet released information regarding possible contributing factors, including speed, impairment, distraction, roadway conditions, or whether either vehicle crossed the center line.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Connecticut State Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that may assist investigators to contact State Police Troop D.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
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.