Stephenson County, IL — Authorities confirmed the tragic deaths of Darcy Brunner, 61, mother of former WNBA player Sophie Brunner, and Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, a Guatemalan national residing illegally in the U.S., following a two-vehicle collision on Route 26 in rural Illinois. The incident occurred early Saturday afternoon, prompting deputies from the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office to respond.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Sheriff Steven Stovall reported that preliminary investigations indicate Brunner was driving her Ford Edge northbound when Ico-Choc’s Nissan Altima veered into the northbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision. Both drivers tragically lost their lives at the scene. Authorities are awaiting toxicology results, though initial findings suggest that Brunner is not believed to have been at fault.
Darcy Brunner’s daughter, Sophie Brunner, is a graduate of Freeport Aquin, played NCAA basketball for Arizona State University, and was a member of the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA in 2017. Family, friends, and the local community continue to mourn the loss of a devoted mother and cherished member of the Brunner family.
The driver of the second vehicle, Rolando Ico-Choc, had a known history as a repeat DUI offender. According to Illinois officials, he had a detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) noted that Ico-Choc’s presence in the U.S. illegally and his criminal history were factors under scrutiny following the fatal crash.
During the press conference, Chesney emphasized the challenges posed by the Illinois TRUST Act, enacted in 2017, which limits cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) expressed frustration, stating:
“A life was lost due to someone who should not have been present. I hold JB Pritzker personally accountable. I hold the Democrats personally accountable.”
Chesney has since introduced Senate Bill 1313, aimed at reversing aspects of the 2017 TRUST Act to ensure undocumented immigrants charged with or convicted of felonies are identified, reported, and deported. Governor JB Pritzker reiterated that violent noncitizens should face imprisonment or deportation, emphasizing that Illinois should protect its residents while also providing a path to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants.
The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash, and the community mourns the loss of Darcy Brunner, a woman remembered for her family devotion and the deep impact she had on those who knew her.
Leave a Reply