Former WNBA player's mother killed in crash with man in US illegally: Officials
Share this @internewscast.com

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) Authorities say the mother of former WNBA star Sophie Brunner and a man in the U.S. illegally are dead after a two-car crash in rural Illinois.

According to Stephenson County Sheriff Steven Stovall, deputies were called to the scene on Route 26 early Saturday afternoon.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Stovall said the preliminary investigation revealed Darcy Brunner, 61, was driving a Ford Edge northbound when she was struck head-on by a Nissan Altima driven by Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, a native of Guatemala.

Police said the Altima crossed into the northbound lane. Both drivers were killed in the crash, Stovall said. Authorities are awaiting results of toxicology tests, but Stovall indicated Brunner is not thought to be at fault.

Brunner’s daughter, Sophie, a graduate of Freeport Aquin, played in the NCAA for Arizona State and played for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA in 2017.

Arizona State forward Sophie Brunner (21) shoots as Arkansas Little Rock forward Kaitlyn Pratt (40) defends during the second half of a women’s second round NCAA tournament college basketball game, Monday, March 23, 2015, Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 57-54. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) said Ico-Choc, who was in the country illegally. He was a multiple DUI offender known to the Department of Homeland Security, and had a detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chesney added.

At the press conference on Tuesday, Chesney said Illinois’ TRUST Act prevented law enforcement from deporting Ico-Choc.

“I hold JB Prizker personally responsible. I hold the Democrats personally responsible,” said Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park). “A life was taken by someone who shouldn’t have been here.”

The TRUST Act, signed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) in 2017, prevents state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It was amended by the Way Forward Act, which added additional requirements and protections.

“If we find there was a warrant for this man’s arrest, we all need to rise up and we need to demand resignations from our elected officials,” Cabello added.

Chesney has introduced Senate Bill 1313, which would reverse the 2017 law and ensure “undocumented immigrants charged with or convicted of a felony are identified, reported, and deported,” according to a press release.

Gov. Pritzker has said that violent noncitizens “should be imprisoned and, or if they’re illegal, undocumented in this country and they are committing violent crimes, they should be deported and turned over to authorities in their countries.”

“We should be protecting residents of the state of Illinois, even if they’re undocumented residents, and providing a path to citizenship,” Pritzker added.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Traffic on I-4 halted in Orange County after crash sends 5 to hospital

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A portion of Interstate 4 was closed on…

Las Vegas Resident Allegedly Left Dog in 109-Degree Heat While Playing Video Games: Police Report

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man facing charges for abandoning a deceased…

JK Rowling Addresses Dispute with Emma Watson Regarding Transgender Issues

JK Rowling has addressed Emma Watson’s recent conciliatory remarks from a podcast…

Top Comedians Criticized for Participating in Saudi Arabian Festival

A comedy festival in Saudi Arabia’s capital is stirring controversy as well-known…

Collapse of Indonesian School Results in One Fatality

Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. For the best experience, please…

Oregon Authorities Caution Residents About ‘Bait’ Amid Trump’s Portland Involvement

By deploying the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, President Trump has initiated…

Clearwater Council Advances to Appraisal Phase, Potentially Ending Partnership with Duke Energy

The City of Clearwater, Florida, is considering establishing its own power utility,…

JK Rowling Labels Emma Watson as ‘Ignorant’ Following a Comment on Cancellation

(NewsNation) — J.K. Rowling is responding to actress Emma Watson’s recent comments…

Masked Teenager in Stolen Car Reaches 100 mph in I-4 Pursuit, Authorities Report

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Early Monday morning, a high-speed chase involving a…

World Heart Day: OSF Doctor Shares Tips for a Healthy Heart

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) –- Heart disease is responsible for the death of…

“Marion County Sheriff Targets Teen for Fake Amber Alert Hoax”

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has released more…

FBI Leader Kash Patel Provided New Zealand Authorities with 3D-Printed Guns Banned by Local Law

WELLINGTON – During his visit to New Zealand, FBI Director Kash Patel…