Local News
Mother and Two Sons Killed in Fresno Small Plane Crash, Husband Craig Critically Injured
FRESNO, Calif. — A mother and her two sons were killed Saturday afternoon when a small plane crashed and caught fire in northwest Fresno, while the children’s father, identified as Craig, was critically injured and hospitalized.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m. Saturday near Sierra Sky Park Airport along Blythe Avenue.
Multiple emergency agencies, including the Fresno Police Department, Fresno Fire Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and North Central Fire Department, responded to the scene.
When first responders arrived, they found the aircraft on fire atop a bluff overlooking the San Joaquin River.
Firefighters quickly worked to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes.
Four people were aboard the aircraft when it crashed.
According to information shared by the family, the mother, Eady, and her two sons died in the crash. Her husband, Craig, survived but was critically injured and transported to a hospital for treatment.
The family also includes a 17-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter, who were described by relatives as needing the community’s prayers and support following the tragedy.
Authorities initially said the identities of the victims and their relationships had not been confirmed publicly.
Further information about the victims is expected as officials continue the investigation and work to notify and assist family members.
The crash also briefly affected power service in the surrounding area. According to the PG&E outage map, electricity was temporarily interrupted for nearby residents but was later restored.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation into the plane crash. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office established a perimeter around the crash site to preserve evidence and allow federal investigators to conduct their examination.
The cause of the crash has not been released. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, crash site and available evidence as they work to determine what led to the fatal accident.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected to be released as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Fresno plane 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.