Local News
30-Year-Old Vincent Grasso Killed in Motorcycle Crash in Verona
VERONA, N.Y. — The New York State Police have identified the motorcyclist who was killed in a collision with a pickup truck Saturday afternoon at a busy intersection in the Town of Verona.
The victim was identified as Vincent Grasso, 30, of Rome, New York, who died after the motorcycle he was operating collided with a pickup truck crossing State Route 365.
According to the New York State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the intersection of State Highway 365 and Blackmans Corners Road in the Town of Verona.
A preliminary investigation determined that Grasso was riding a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on State Route 365 when the collision occurred.
Investigators said a 66-year-old driver operating a pickup truck had stopped at the intersection on Blackmans Corners Road before attempting to cross State Route 365.
As the pickup entered the intersection, it was struck by Grasso’s westbound motorcycle.
The impact caused catastrophic injuries to Grasso, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Authorities said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the collision.
State Police noted that State Route 365 is a four-lane highway with a center turn lane at the Blackmans Corners Road intersection. Traffic traveling on Route 365 does not stop at the intersection, while motorists on Blackmans Corners Road are required to stop before entering or crossing the highway.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal collision, including vehicle movements and right-of-way.
No charges have been announced, and the crash remains under active investigation by the New York State Police.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information relevant to the investigation to contact law enforcement as detectives continue working to determine all factors that contributed to the 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.