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The former Tilton Police Chief that was killed in an early morning construction zone crash on I-74 earlier this week has been identified as Steven A. Cornett, 65, of Danville. Cornett was working in a construction zone on I-74 Eastbound through Champaign County Wednesday morning, when he was hit by a pickup truck hauling a trailer.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was 29-year-old Quamaine J. Fletcher of Whiteville, Tennessee. The now suspect Fletcher was transported to a local hospital with injuries and was subsequently taken into custody following his release. Fletcher now faces one count of reckless homicide, a Class 2 felony, directly connected to the fatal crash.
After a preliminary hearing today, Fletcher was granted pre-trial release. As for the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, they state that Fletcher was speeding through the construction zone while also being distracted on his phone behind the wheel. He himself admitted to traveling at a speed of 65 miles per hour before veering into a parked construction vehicle occupied by Cornett at the time.The suspect told Illinois State Police investigators that his phone had fallen from a car mount onto the floor of his driver’s side which caused the sudden and deadly movement. Due to the current construction, the posted speed limit was 45 mph.
The Illinois Department of Transportation made a public statement that same day to mourn the passing of Cornett. The Village of Tilton Police Department quickly organized an “escort route” for their fallen, former police chief. This morning, they asked for the public’s hand in lining the streets for the precession route from Urbana to a funeral home in the area.
The next court date was set for June 26th, 2026.
Photo Credit: Village Of Tilton Police Department
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