Local News
38-Year-Old Paul DeVito Killed in Fatal Crash on US-23 in Whiteford Township After SUV Strikes Semi-Trailer
WHITEFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A 38-year-old Florida man was killed Monday afternoon after his SUV crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer on northbound U.S. 23 in Whiteford Township, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim has been identified as Paul M. DeVito, 38, of Plantation, Florida.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said deputies responded to the crash at approximately 1:19 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, on northbound U.S. 23, just north of the U.S. 223 interchange in Whiteford Township.
According to the preliminary investigation, DeVito was driving a white 2021 Toyota RAV4 northbound in the right lane when, for reasons that remain under investigation, the SUV struck the rear of a trailer being pulled by a white 2024 Volvo semi-tractor.
The semi-truck was being operated by Herney D. Pena-Fajardo, 43, of Lenox, Massachusetts.
Investigators said the force of the collision caused the Toyota RAV4 to rotate counterclockwise several times, ejecting DeVito from the vehicle.
Both DeVito and the heavily damaged SUV came to rest in the east-side ditch along U.S. 23.
The tractor-trailer remained under control, and Pena-Fajardo safely brought the vehicle to a stop in the right travel lane.
Authorities noted that traffic in both northbound lanes was already heavily congested due to a lane closure located north of the crash scene at the time of the collision.
Emergency responders arrived and pronounced Paul M. DeVito dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver of the semi-truck, Herney D. Pena-Fajardo, was not injured and was released from the scene.
Investigators reported that both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision.
The Toyota RAV4’s airbags deployed during the crash, while the driver’s airbag in the Volvo tractor did not deploy.
Authorities also confirmed that alcohol is not believed to have been a contributing factor in the fatal crash.
Numerous emergency response agencies assisted at the scene, including:
Summerfield Township Fire Department
Whiteford Township Fire Department
Monroe Community Ambulance
Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division
Michigan Department of Transportation
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Program
Responders worked to provide emergency assistance, manage traffic, and investigate the fatal collision.
The crash remains under investigation by Lieutenant Brian Quinn and Deputy Sheriffs Cody Carena and Alec Preadmore of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Services Division.
Anyone with information related to the collision is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Services Division at 734-240-7541.
Investigators continue working to determine what caused the Toyota RAV4 to collide with the rear of the tractor-trailer.
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.