CHAMPAIGN, IL, (May 27, 2026) – Steven A. Cornett, 65, of Danville, tragically lost his life Wednesday morning in a construction-zone accident along Interstate 74 in Champaign County, according to Illinois State Police.
Troopers responded shortly after 3:30 a.m. to eastbound I-74 at milepost 179 after reports that a pickup truck pulling a trailer entered an active construction zone and struck a roadway worker.
Emergency personnel pronounced Cornett dead at the scene. The Champaign County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his identity.
Authorities noted that Cornett previously served as the police chief for the village of Tilton.
The driver of the pickup truck has not been publicly identified, and investigators have not yet released details regarding potential contributing factors in the crash.
Illinois State Police and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate the fatal collision.
