Arrest made in I-74 crash that killed construction worker

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - An arrest has been made in a crash that killed a construction worker on Interstate 74 in Champaign early Wednesday morning.

Illinois State Police were called to I-74 eastbound at milepost 179 at 3:35 a.m.

Police said a pickup truck pulling a trailer hit a worker, later identified as 65-year-old Steven A. Cornett of Danville, in an active construction zone.

Cornett was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Village of Tilton Police Department said he served as the chief of police from 2010-17.

The Champaign County State's Attorney's Office confirmed the driver who hit Cornett has been charged with reckless homicide. The driver was identified as Quamaine Juwan Fletcher, 29.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz told WAND News that Fletcher is charged with reckless homicide based on speeding in a construction zone and being distracted by a cell phone.

The Illinois Department of Transportation released a statement on the crash, saying:

"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 a contractor employee working on the Interstate 57/74 interchange reconstruction in Champaign County. With the heaviest of hearts, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the worker’s family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time.
Today’s tragedy is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers and risks of working and traveling through work zones. 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 Tilton Police Department will have an escort route honoring Cornett that is expected to leave Urbana between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

Tilton police said the procession will travel east on Interstate 74 and enter the Tilton area through the G Street exit. It will eventually make its way to the Pape Family Funeral Home.

Additional information on the escort route will be available on the Tilton police Facebook page.