URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — The truck driver accused in the crash that killed a Champaign construction worker has been granted pretrial release following a court appearance in Champaign County.
Quamaine Fletcher, 29, appeared in person before Judge Brett Olmstead on a single count of reckless homicide stemming from a fatal construction zone crash that killed former police chief and construction worker Steven Cornett.
According to court arguments, prosecutors said Fletcher admitted to speeding through a construction zone and reaching for a fallen phone when he struck a parked construction vehicle, resulting in Cornett’s death. Because reckless homicide is a detainable offense, the state asked the court to keep Fletcher in custody as the case proceeds.
Defense attorneys argued Fletcher is a working father with a girlfriend and children in Tennessee, owns a trucking business, and has no prior criminal history.
Judge Olmstead ultimately granted pretrial release. The state did not object to Fletcher returning to Tennessee while awaiting trial. Fletcher must still appear in court, with his next hearing scheduled for June 26.
