Local News
Whitney Duarte, Kevin Latham and Joey Watkins Killed in Head-On Crash on US-431 in Muhlenberg County
MUHLENBERG COUNTY, Ky. — Three people were killed in a devastating head-on collision Sunday in Muhlenberg County after a vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into an oncoming pickup truck, according to the Kentucky State Police.
The victims have been identified as Whitney Duarte, 35, of Central City, Kevin Latham, 56, of Bremen, and Joey Watkins, 67, of Central City.
According to Kentucky State Police Post 2, the fatal crash occurred on June 28, 2026, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 431 and Power Plant Road in Muhlenberg County.
A preliminary investigation determined that Whitney Duarte was driving a Nissan sedan southbound on U.S. 431 when, for reasons that remain under investigation, the vehicle crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.
The Nissan then collided head-on with a Ford pickup truck traveling northbound. The pickup was driven by Kevin Latham, 56, of Bremen, with Joey Watkins, 67, of Central City, riding as a passenger.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found all three occupants with fatal injuries.
The Muhlenberg County Coroner pronounced Whitney Duarte, Kevin Latham, and Joey Watkins dead at the scene.
Authorities have not released information regarding whether any additional occupants were involved or if other vehicles were affected by the collision.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Investigators are continuing to examine all circumstances surrounding the collision, including what caused the Nissan to cross into the opposing lane of traffic.
The investigation is being led by Kentucky State Police Trooper Travis Vandrew.
Officials have not released additional details as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
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.