Local News
Wyatt Ellingson and Another Person Killed in Head-On Crash on Highway 20 Near Courtenay, North Dakota
STUTSMAN COUNTY, N.D. — A devastating head-on collision on State Highway 20 in Stutsman County late Friday night claimed the lives of two men and left a woman with serious injuries, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, near mile marker 34, about six miles north of Courtenay.
According to the preliminary investigation, a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound on Highway 20 at what investigators described as a high rate of speed when the pickup crossed the centerline into the southbound lane.
The Silverado then collided head-on with a 2019 GMC Sierra traveling southbound.
The force of the collision caused catastrophic damage to both vehicles.
Authorities identified the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado as a 23-year-old man from McHenry, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the GMC Sierra was identified as Wyatt Ellingson, 54, of Edgeley. He also suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol reported that neither driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
A 52-year-old woman riding as a passenger in the GMC Sierra was wearing her seat belt when the crash occurred.
She sustained serious injuries and was transported by Jamestown Area Ambulance to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.
Authorities have not released an update on her current condition.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, including the events that caused the northbound pickup to cross into oncoming traffic.
No additional information has been released as investigators work to determine all contributing factors in the deadly crash.
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.