Local News
David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell Killed After Small Plane Crashes Near Ithaca
ENFIELD, N.Y. — Two people were killed Sunday after a small aircraft crashed near North Applegate Road in Enfield, west of Ithaca, according to Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne.
The aircraft, identified as a 1977 Lake LA-4-200, had two people aboard when it went down. Sheriff Osborne initially reported that David Kornreich, 52, the owner of the plane, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second occupant, Andrew R. Harrell, 31, was transported to Cayuga Medical Center in critical condition.
Later Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed that Harrell had also died from his injuries, bringing the death toll from the aircraft crash to two.
According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, the plane was cleared for takeoff from Ithaca Airport at approximately 11:24 a.m. The aircraft’s last contact with the airport control tower was reported at approximately 12:02 p.m.
A witness called 911 around 12:35 p.m. to report that the aircraft had gone down. The witness reportedly indicated that the plane appeared to be experiencing a mechanical problem before the crash. Investigators have not determined whether a mechanical failure caused the aircraft to go down.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash site shortly afterward. The Ithaca Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department were among the agencies sent to the area at approximately 12:47 p.m.
According to local emergency-response information, Guthrie Air was also dispatched, while the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company established a landing zone at a nearby school to support the emergency response.
First responders located the aircraft and its occupants at the crash site. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while Harrell was initially transported to Cayuga Medical Center with critical injuries. He later succumbed to those injuries.
Multiple agencies assisted with the response, including the New York State Police, New York State Park Police, Enfield Fire & Rescue, Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Airport Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Sheriff Osborne said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s final flight and crash.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the suspected mechanical issue or the exact sequence of events before the plane went down.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release additional information as investigators examine the aircraft, review flight data and determine what caused the fatal 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.