Local News
42-year-old James Howar dies after Horry County motorcycle crash
James Howar, a 42-year-old man from Conway, South Carolina, died following a motorcycle crash Sunday night in Horry County, according to authorities.
The fatal collision occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Cates Bay Highway, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.
According to Mitchell Ridgeway, preliminary findings from investigators indicate that the motorcycle crossed the center line of the roadway and collided with a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Howar to a medical facility in the Grand Strand area for treatment of severe injuries sustained in the crash.
Despite lifesaving efforts, Howar later died at the hospital, according to Tamara Willard of the Horry County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured during the collision.
Investigators have not yet released additional information regarding what may have caused the motorcycle to cross into oncoming traffic, and officials have not stated whether speed, impairment, or road conditions may have been contributing factors.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate 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.