Local News
Michael Graham Killed After High-Speed Mercedes Crash Into Downtown Raleigh Building
RALEIGH, N.C. — A 36-year-old man was killed early Saturday morning after the Mercedes he was driving at a high rate of speed crashed into a parked vehicle before slamming into a downtown Raleigh building, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
Authorities identified the driver as Michael Graham, 36, who died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash.
According to Raleigh police, the crash occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. Saturday in the 300 block of West Martin Street in downtown Raleigh.
The preliminary investigation found that Graham was speeding while driving a Mercedes westbound on West Martin Street when he struck a parked vehicle near 300 W. Martin Street.
After the initial collision, the Mercedes continued off the roadway, drove onto the sidewalk, and crashed into a building located at 320 W. Martin Street, near the intersection with South Harrington Street.
The impact caused significant damage to the vehicle and the building.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after the crash and found Graham with fatal injuries.
Police said Graham was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other injuries were reported, and officials said the parked vehicle was unoccupied when it was struck.
Following the crash, authorities closed West Martin Street between South Harrington Street and Dawson Street from approximately 3:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. while investigators processed the scene and crews cleared the wreckage.
The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Investigators are examining all factors that may have contributed to the collision, though speed has been identified as a primary factor.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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.