Local News
25-Year-Old Tyler Nynas Killed in Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash in Thomson Township
THOMSON TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 25-year-old Barnum man and left another man critically injured Sunday evening in Thomson Township.
Authorities identified the deceased as Tyler Nynas, 25, of Barnum, Minnesota.
The passenger, Alexander Wheeler, 26, also of Barnum, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a Duluth hospital following the crash.
According to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 6:29 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, after receiving reports of a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Thomson Road and Kangas Road.
When deputies arrived, they discovered a vehicle that had left the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation.
Emergency responders located two occupants inside or near the vehicle.
Tyler Nynas sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alexander Wheeler was seriously injured and transported by LifeLink III air ambulance to Essentia Health Duluth, where he was listed in critical condition.
Investigators confirmed that the crash involved only one vehicle, and no other motorists were involved in the collision.
Authorities have not released information regarding what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, and it remains unknown whether speed, impairment, weather conditions, or other factors contributed to the crash.
Several emergency agencies assisted the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office during the response, including:
Cloquet Police Department
Minnesota State Patrol
Cloquet Area Fire Distric
Esko Fire Department
Carlton Fire Department
LifeLink III Air Ambulance
First responders worked together to provide emergency medical care, secure the crash scene, and begin the investigation.
The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Officials said additional information may be released as investigators continue to determine what led to the vehicle leaving the roadway.
The death of Tyler Nynas has left family, friends, and the Barnum community mourning a tragic loss, while loved ones continue to hope for the recovery of Alexander Wheeler as he remains hospitalized.
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.