CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — An Illinois State Police Trooper died while on-duty after being hit by a truck on Friday.
According to ISP, 28-year-old Trooper Corey S. Thompsen was finishing a traffic enforcement detail travelling east on East Leverett Road in Champaign County at around 3:30 p.m.
Police said at that same time, Helen Torres, 32, approached the same intersection in a truck traveling south.
Torres stopped before she pulled her truck into the intersection, striking Thompsen's motorcycle, ISP said.
A witness at the scene provided aid to Thompsen until first responders arrived and took him the hospital, ISP Director Brendan Kelly shared. He was pronounced dead at 4:32 p.m.
“This is a sad moment. We are hurting. Corey’s brothers and sisters in motor enforcement, Special Operation Group, Troop 7, patrol, the Zone, Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and across ISP are hurting,” said Kelly. “Corey’s family is hurting badly today."
Thompson was not just a state trooper for nearly five years, but he was also a husband, son and brother.
Torres was also taken to the hospital and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to ISP.
ISP cited Torres with failure to yield right of way at a stop intersection and for not having a valid driver's license, expired less than one year ago.
"I ask for your thoughts, your love, and your prayers and good will for his family and his Illinois State Police family,” Kelly said.
