Local News
14-Year-Old Harvey Richards Killed in ATV Crash with SUV in Monroe County
SUMMERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A 14-year-old boy was killed and another teenager was critically injured following an early morning crash involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and a sport utility vehicle in Monroe County on Saturday, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 5:03 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, on Bacon Road south of Todd Road in Summerfield Township.
Authorities identified the victim as Harvey Wayne Richards, 14, of Dundee, Michigan. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 17-year-old male from Petersburg, Michigan, who was also riding the ATV, sustained critical injuries and was transported to ProMedica Toledo Hospital, where he remains hospitalized.
According to investigators, the crash happened when a black 2013 Chevrolet Traverse was backing out of a private driveway onto Bacon Road. At the same time, a black 2007 Honda TRX250 four-wheeler was traveling southbound and struck the front passenger side of the SUV.
The impact ejected both teenage riders from the ATV. Deputies said both victims landed on the roadway south of the collision site.
Investigators determined that neither teenager was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Authorities also reported that the ATV did not have a functioning headlight and was not authorized for operation on public roadways, factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The driver of the Chevrolet Traverse, a 54-year-old woman from Petersburg, and her 57-year-old male passenger, also from Petersburg, were wearing seat belts during the collision and were not injured. Officials said the vehicle’s airbags did not deploy.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Detectives are also working to determine whether alcohol or any other contributing factors played a role in the collision.
No additional information has been released as the investigation remains 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.