Categories: WTVO

Illinois officials: Former WNBA star’s mother killed in head-on collision with illegal migrant

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — The mother of former WNBA star Sophie Bruner was one of two people killed in a double fatal crash in rural Stephenson County on Saturday.

According to Stephenson County Sheriff Steven Stovall, deputies were called to the scene on Route 26, near Oneco Road, around 12:38 p.m. on August 6th.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Stovall said the preliminary investigation revealed Darcy Bruner, 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 Bruner is not thought to be at fault.

“It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of Darcy Brunner, the mother of former Aquin and Arizona State star, Sophie Brunner,” wrote Kyle Kampier, administrator of the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference (NUIC) All-Access Facebook group. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Brunner family and the Aquin community.”

The crash shut down Illinois Route 26 between Oneco Road and Winslow Road for several hours as investigators worked the scene.

Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) said Ico-Choc was a multiple DUI offender and was known to the Department of Homeland Security. 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.”

“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.

Bruner’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.

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