UPDATE: Coroner identifies teen motorcycle driver killed in Champaign crash

Bradley Zimmerman
·2 min read

Update at 2:20 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Coroner’s Office has released the name of a 19-year-old from Indiana who was killed in a Champaign motorcycle crash on Thursday.

In a press release, Interim Coroner Stephen Thuney identified the teen as Andrew Wade Thomas of Avon, Ind. He was pronounced dead at Carle Hospital in Urbana at 10:38 p.m. about half an hour after the deadly accident happened at University Avenue and Fourth Street in Champaign.

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Thuney said Thomas died from “multiple traumatic injuries.” An autopsy is scheduled to take place on Friday.

The crash and Thomas’ death remain under investigation by the Champaign Police Department and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A 19-year-old from Indiana has died following a car vs. motorcycle crash in Champaign late Thursday night.

The crash happened just after 10 p.m. at the intersection of University Avenue and Fourth Street. Champaign Police officials said their investigation revealed the motorcycle was driving east on University when a car driving the opposite direction tried to make a left turn onto Fourth, directly in front of the motorcycle driver.

The motorcycle collided with the car and the teenage motorcycle driver was ejected. He sustained multiped injuries and, despite being given medical aid at the scene and at an area hospital, the teen succumbed to his injuries.

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The driver of the car was given a ticket the scene for failing to yield to an oncoming vehicle.

Police are still searching the area for any witnesses or video cameras that may have seen the crash. Anyone with either an eyewitness account or who has video cameras on their home or business in the area is asked to contact that Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545.

The investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Illinois State Police.

This is the third crash involving a motorcycle to happen in Champaign in the last two months. The drivers in the other two crashes were hurt but survived.

May is designated as Motorcycle Awareness Month, coinciding with a rise in temperatures that will bring more motorcycles out of winter garages.

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