The death of former Tilton police chief Steve Cornett continues to reverberate throughout Vermilion County and elsewhere. A longtime police veteran and public servant, Steve was not just a police chief but an advisor, confidant, and problem solver as many smaller community police chiefs are. He was escorted back home to Tilton by the Tilton Police Department, Tilton Fire and Ambulance services, Tilton Public Works, and other surrounding law enforcement agencies as well as Daniel Ribbe Trucking. WITY offers condolences to the family and friends of Steve Cornett.
Said Mayor Billy Wear:
And State Representative Brandun Schweizer called for a moment of silence in the State House to honor Steve Cornett:
The Illinois State Police announced an arrest of the driver of the vehicle that was involved in the collision ending Steve Cornett’s life:
Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 7 Troopers arrested 29-year-old Quamaine J. Fletcher of Whiteville, TN for one count of Reckless Homicide (Class 2 Felony) following a fatal construction zone crash on I-74 in Champaign County.
On May 27, 2026, at approximately 3:35 a.m., ISP Troopers responded to I-74 eastbound at milepost 179 near Champaign for the report of a traffic crash involving a construction worker who was struck by a pickup truck pulling a trailer, which was driven by Fletcher. The victim who was struck, 65-year-old Steven A. Cornett of Danville, IL, was pronounced deceased on scene. Fletcher was transported to an area hospital with injuries. Troopers took Fletcher into custody after his release from the hospital.
ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 and ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit assisted with the investigation. There is no further information.