Local News
Penn State Health Doctor Paul Sokoloski Identified as Pilot Killed in Carlisle Airport Crash
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Authorities have identified the pilot who was killed Wednesday evening when a small aircraft collided with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter at Carlisle Regional Airport.
The victim was identified as Paul Sokoloski, 57, of Hershey, a physician affiliated with Penn State Health. According to Penn State Health’s physician information, Paul W. Sokoloski worked as an emergency medicine physician.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 6:52 p.m. Wednesday at Carlisle Regional Airport.
According to preliminary information from Pennsylvania State Police and the Cumberland County Coroner’s Office, Sokoloski was operating a Cessna 150 and was attempting to land when the aircraft suddenly veered to the right.
The plane then collided with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter that was participating in training exercises near the runway.
State police said the helicopter was hovering only several inches above the ground when the collision occurred.
Sokoloski was killed in the crash. Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers aboard the helicopter were injured and transported for medical treatment.
The circumstances that caused the aircraft to veer from its intended path remain under investigation.
Sokoloski was a longtime medical professional in central Pennsylvania. His professional background included work as an emergency medicine physician with Penn State Health, as well as previous medical positions.
He also served as an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Penn State College of Medicine, according to information listed in his professional background.
In addition to his medical career, Sokoloski had extensive aviation experience. His professional profile listed a commercial pilot’s license and certification as a flight instructor.
His career also included service as security police with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, according to his professional information.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the midair collision at Carlisle Regional Airport.
Authorities are expected to review aircraft movements, witness accounts, airport information and other evidence as they work to determine exactly what led to the crash.
The Cumberland County Coroner’s Office said Sokoloski’s autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25.
The investigation remains active, and additional information is expected as authorities complete their examination of the deadly airport 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.