TOLONO, Ill. — A two-vehicle crash near Tolono claimed the life of a local man Monday evening, according to officials. The Champaign County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 34-year-old Steven L. Stumborg of Tolono.
Authorities said the crash occurred shortly after 7:10 p.m. on September 30 at the intersection of U.S. Route 45 and County Road 600N. Emergency responders arrived within minutes and found Stumborg critically injured. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:32 p.m. by Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer.
The Illinois State Police, along with the Champaign County Coroner’s Office, are leading the investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled to help determine the exact cause of death. Officials have not released additional details about the circumstances of the collision, including whether other drivers involved sustained injuries.
The crash forced authorities to shut down Route 45 in both directions for several hours as investigators processed the scene and cleared the wreckage. The road was eventually reopened around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police have urged drivers who may have witnessed the crash to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation.
News of Stumborg’s death has left the Tolono community mourning the sudden loss of a young man described by friends and neighbors as kind and hardworking. His death marks another tragedy on Route 45, a roadway that has seen multiple serious accidents in recent years. Local residents have voiced concerns about traffic safety in the area, calling for more awareness and caution at intersections.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release further updates once the autopsy is completed and more details are confirmed. For now, Stumborg’s family and the Tolono community are left to grieve as they await answers about what led to the deadly crash.