CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Many Champaign County residents want to see change at an intersection that’s had several accidents in recent years.

Some people in the community call it the most dangerous intersection in Champaign County. The location is E Leverett Road and County Road 1300 East, and it’s also the intersection where Trooper Corey S. Thompsen was killed on duty last year.

Multiple residents that live nearby all said the same thing: This intersection is dangerous and in need of something more than just stop signs.

“I just think it would save lives and injuries and losses if they would just highlight this intersection,” said Carolyn Stone, who lives near the intersection.

The intersection goes north to south between a major county road and is separated by two stop signs on either end. In October, a tragic accident resulted in the death of Trooper Thompsen.
He was on the job when a truck pulled onto Leverett Road and hit Thompson while he was on his motorcycle. The driver of that truck was cited for a failure to yield right of way at a stop intersection.

Stone, who lives in a nearby mobile home community, said these types of deadly mistakes happen way too often.

“Well, I’ve been living here since 2019, and there have been between 8 to 10 accidents and people just running these stop signs, and it’s just so dangerous,” Stone said. “There’s been a lot. I mean, I sat in my house out here and know when they hit, and I’m calling my 911 before I even go outside because I just know.”

She believes if the two stop signs between Leverett Road had flashing lights, it might make the intersection safer. Stone also said drivers would become more aware of the stop signs and would be less prone to running them.

WCIA reached out to IDOT about the concerns, and they said:

“We’re continuing to monitor the intersection to see if safety improvements are needed.”