CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois State Police (ISP) held a press conference today to release more details on what killed 28-year-old Illinois state trooper Corey Thompsen.
The crash, which happened Friday around 3:40 p.m. near Champaign, involved Thompsen riding east on Leverette Rd. towards County Road 1300 E. on a motorcycle. A truck, driven by 32-year-old Helen Torres, was traveling south on County Road 1300 E. She stopped at the intersection before pulling into the road and striking Thompsen’s motorcycle, according to authorities. A witness provided aid to Thompsen until an ambulance arrived and took him to an area hospital. He was pronounced dead at 4:32 p.m.
The other driver, Torres, was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
ISP said Torres was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop intersection and she had no valid driver’s license.
ISP Director Brendan Kelley said, “This is a sad moment. We are hurting. Corey’s brothers and sisters in motor enforcement, Special Operation Group, Troop 7, patrol, the Zone, Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and across ISP are hurting. Corey’s family is hurting badly today. This is the first, and I hope the last, trooper who I personally administered the oath of an ISP officer to that I’ve lost in a line of duty death. The first and I hope the last Trooper who I’ve seen at the beginning of their watch and at the end of their watch. I ask for your thoughts, your love, and your prayers and good will for his family and his Illinois State Police family.”
Thompsen was with the ISP for almost five years and served with the Special Operatures Group Fatal Four team. He is survived by his wife, mother, father and brothers.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.