CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — In the early hours of Wednesday May 27, a construction worker later identified as 65-year-old Steven A. Cornett of Danville was killed in an overnight crash on Interstate 74 in Champaign County.
Cornett, as shared on Wednesday, was the former police chief of Tilton. He served from 1984 until 2017, serving as the Tilton Police Department’s chief from 2010 to 2017, when he retired.
“Working directly with Chief Cornett at the start of my career, he left a tremendous impact on the way I police and serve the community today,” captain Ryan Schull said. “His guidance, leadership, and dedication to this profession helped shape not only officers within this department, but the department itself. I am proud to call him a friend and mentor.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation also released a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation is working with its partners at the Illinois State Police as part of the investigation into the tragic event this morning that claimed the life (of) a contractor employee working on the Interstate 57/74 interchange reconstruction in Champaign County,” it said. “With the heaviest of hearts, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the worker’s family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time.”
The department emphasized the importance of caution while driving through work zones.
“Today’s tragedy is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers and risks of working and traveling through work zones,” IDOT said. “If you are driving anywhere in Illinois this construction season, you will be driving through work zones. Please, when you see orange, slow down, give the road your undivided attention and stay alert for workers and equipment. You could save a life.”
The coroner also publicly shared its release, pictured below.
According to Illinois State Police, troopers were called to the scene around 3:35 a.m. after reports of a crash involving a construction worker. Investigators said a pickup truck pulling a trailer struck the worker inside the work zone.
The crash shut down eastbound I-74 in the area for several hours, with traffic diverted onto southbound I-57, but all lanes have since been reopened.