Local News
Laura McLinn-West Dies After Motorcycle Crash While Avoiding Deer in Camden County, Rider Dave West Injured
CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — A Laquey woman has died after a motorcycle crash that occurred while the rider attempted to avoid a deer on a rural roadway east of Camdenton, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The victim has been identified as Laura McLinn-West, 48, of Laquey, who later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), the crash occurred Sunday night on Route A, approximately 1,003 feet east of Rainwater Drive in Camden County.
A preliminary investigation determined that a 2010 Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide was traveling eastbound when a deer entered the motorcycle’s path.
Investigators said the rider attempted to avoid the animal, causing the motorcycle to crash. Both the operator and passenger were thrown from the motorcycle during the incident.
Laura West, who was riding as the passenger, suffered critical injuries in the crash.
She was airlifted by medical helicopter to University Hospital in Columbia, where she later succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning, authorities confirmed.
The motorcycle’s driver Dave West, who is also from Laquey, sustained moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. No additional details have been released regarding contributing factors beyond the deer entering the roadway.
Authorities noted that the crash marks Troop F’s 35th traffic fatality of 2026.
The investigation remains ongoing as troopers work to determine the complete sequence of events leading up to the deadly collision.
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.