Ex-WNBA player's mom dies in car crash involving illegal immigrant, officials say
Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, and Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, both died when Ico-Choc drove his Nissan Altima crossed the center line on Illinois Route 26 in Stephenson County into Connolly-Brunner's Ford Edge on Aug. 9, Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall said at a press conference.
Both were killed in the crash.
Stovall said it was believed that Ico-Choc was a Guatemalan national who had lived in Freeport once before and that alcohol may have played a role in the crash, according to WIFR-TV.
"One of the lives was someone I knew well, Darcy Connolly-Brunner," Stovall added. "Darcy was more than just a member of the community, she was a friend. She was a kind and giving person who cared deeply for her family and friends."
Stovall also revealed that Ico-Choc had a criminal past. Records show that he was charged with aggravated DUI with a license suspended or revoked in 2023. Officials said there was no indication that Connolly-Brunner was under the influence.
Illinois state Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, said Homeland Security officials confirmed with him that Ico-Choc was in the country illegally. He called for the repeal of the TRUST Act and the SAFE-T Act, which he said contributed to Ico-Choc being in the country in the first place.
"A woman who dedicated her life to her family and her community was killed in broad daylight by a man who never should have been in this country or on the road," he said in a statement. "His criminal record includes prior charges of DUI, aggravated (felony) DUI, and battery.
"Additionally, it was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that he was in this country illegally, having crossed the border a few years ago during the Biden administration. Yet, thanks to Illinois' TRUST Act and the SAFE-T Act, he remained in this country and was free to get back behind the wheel of a car and kill an innocent woman. It's unacceptable, and I am sickened by it."
Sophie Brunner was a local basketball star in Freeport and attended Arizona State to play college basketball. She joined the WNBA in 2017, playing for the Phoenix Mercury and San Antonio Silver Stars.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Woman, 79, critically hurt after being hit by car in Ingleside, Illinois, sheriffs say
A 79-year-old woman was critically hurt after being hit by a car on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The office said just before 2 p.m., deputies responded to Big Hollow Road near Leonard Avenue, where they found the woman seriously hurt. Initial reports indicated that a Nissan Altima, driven by a 41-year-old Wood Dale woman, was traveling eastbound on Big Hollow Road when she hit the victim, who had been walking in the roadway. Evidence from the scene indicated that the driver attempted to swerve but was unable to avoid hitting her. The woman was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. The driver and a small child in the back seat were not hurt. Police said the woman may have memory issues and left her home without her caretaker's knowledge. The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Technical Crash Investigations Team.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Daywatch: What to know about the Chicago Air and Water Show
Good morning, Chicago. Eyes will turn to the skies this weekend for the Chicago Air and Water Show. One million or more spectators are expected along the lakefront Aug. 16-17 to watch demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and a variety of other civilian and military aircraft. Here's what to know about this year's show: how to get to the lakefront (or avoid it), weather conditions, a full lineup of performers and more from the Tribune's Kori Rumore. And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what Democrats said at the Illinois State Fair, what's next for Clarendon Hills in the Little League World Series tournament and what to know as the Savannah Bananas come to Chicago for the first time. Today's eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Residents in one Washington, D.C., neighborhood lined up yesterday to protest the increased police presence after the White House said the number of National Guard troops in the nation's capital would ramp up and federal officers would be on the streets around the clock. Despite the presentation of a balanced budget containing no loan for the upcoming Chicago Public Schools academic year after months of debates over a multi-million dollar budget deficit, the entirety of the Chicago Board of Education is not sold on the $10.25 billion plan. Democrats used their day at the State Fair yesterday to celebrate Illinois as a leader of the resistance to President Donald Trump, lashing out at the Republican administration and its allies in Congress in an effort to regain party momentum for next year's midterm elections. Photos: Illinois State Fair 2025 Indiana's lieutenant governor repeatedly addressed redistricting, immigration and education funding during a packed town hall session in Merrillville. Indiana House Democrats join Texas House Democrats to stand against mid-decade redistricting As the frequency of eating disorders increases and interest in performance enhancement broadens, so does the market for addressing them. Rosecrance Therapies yesterday announced its acquisition of Ascend CHC, to provide treatment of eating disorders and support for sports and performance counseling. The Naperville School District 203 teacher's union has voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike, an action that gives the bargaining team the authority to declare a walkout if they deem it necessary, union officials said in a statement. Clarendon Hills never really got going yesterday and lost 16-1 to the Mountain Region champion from Las Vegas, Nevada, in the opening round of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They play again on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the elimination bracket. Rate Field will be filled this weekend, but not because of Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and company. You won't see black jerseys but a splash of yellow instead. The Savannah Bananas come to Rate Field on Friday and Saturday for a pair of sold-out games as part of their 2025 Banana Ball World Tour. It's the first time the viral, groovy baseball team will play in Chicago. The 1959 Ed McBain crime novel 'King's Ransom' has crossed the Pacific Ocean twice now, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips. Its latest screen incarnation, 'Highest 2 Lowest,' makes for a disarming hand-off from the stern gravity of Akira Kurosawa to the exuberant restlessness of Spike Lee. As the new chairman of the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump added a highly personal stamp to this year's announcement of the recipients of the annual honors, whom he named as country music star George Strait, 'Rocky' actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fox News Host Rages at Dem After Abruptly Ending Interview
Fox News host Will Cain followed up an on-air clash with Texas Democrat James Talarico with an even more heated debate on social media. The fiery exchange between the pair on TV on Tuesday spilled over onto social media after Talarico claimed their chat was cut short by the Fox News host. Cain labeled the accusation as 'dishonest.' The state legislator, a fourth-term representative from Austin, is seen as a rising star in the party as he considers a U.S. Senate run against Sen. John Cornyn. His appearance on The Will Cain Show from Illinois, where Texas Democrats are racking up fines as they fight new legislative maps that would give Republicans up to five extra seats in Congress, comes after a flurry of interviews, including a sitdown on Joe Rogan's top-rated podcast. Cain claimed Talarico had 'abandoned' his office and took umbrage at his guest using the phrase 'rigged' to describe the map changes, which would boost the GOP's 2026 midterm election hopes, as the pair often spoke over each other during their 10-minute interview. At one point, Talarico appeared to stump Cain after asking if he knew how many Republican members of Congress had joined Democrats to vote to ban gerrymandering in Congress. The pair had been debating rule changes that would affect the midterms. 'Which one? I'm sorry, which state did you just refer to?' Cain responded after a pause. 'I'm asking, do you know how many Republicans joined Democrats in the U.S. Congress to ban gerrymandering? All the Democrats voted for it. Zero Republicans voted for it, zero,' Talarico said. 'You can spare me both-sides rhetoric. It's clearly one side that is trying to rig the rules in the middle of the game... We don't accept cheating in politics and in our relationships. We shouldn't accept cheating it in our elections... We should stand up to politicians that don't want to face accountability at the ballot box. That's what's happening here.' Cain acknowledged he was 'unfamiliar' with the details of the vote, which took place in 2021. At another point, Talarico appeared to stump Cain by asking him, 'If Republican policies are popular, why do they need to redraw these maps, why can't they run on their policies? Cain did not answer the question, instead signaling that he was being told to cut the interview. 'I'm getting wrapped on time,' he said. 'I'm enjoying this conversation. I apologize.' The Fox News host still managed to get another question in before inviting Talarico into the studio for a future interview and bonding over breakfast tacos. The Texas legislator posted on X after the appearance and claimed the Fox host had 'cut the interview early. 'I just went on Fox News to tell the truth about the redistricting power grab in Texas,' Talarico wrote. After mentioning the question on Republican policies that stumped Cain, he added that the host had 'refused to answer—and cut the interview early." Cain took to his X account to clap back on Talarico's claim. 'Oh James. Trolls distorting the interview is one thing, but you were there. I respectfully gave you ten minutes, an eternity in cable news. And in all that time you had no answer as to why you've abandoned your job. You can take a flag to IL but you still cut and run from Texas.' He added, 'And your dishonesty in suggesting I cut your interview short perfectly illustrates the honesty of your run away from TX. I always welcome honest debate but it's clear that's not who you are. Stay in Illinois little Jimmy. Better fit for you than TX.' The Daily Beast has contacted Talarico and Fox News for additional comment.
