The mother of former WNBA forward Sophie Brunner has died following a head-on collision in Freeport, Illinois, over the weekend.
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Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, was one of two people killed in the crash on Saturday. Authorities say 30-year-old Rolando Ico-Choc of Guatemala was driving a Nissan Altima when he crossed the center line and struck Connolly-Brunner's Ford Edge. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene, and neither vehicle had passengers.
Stephenson County Sheriff Steve Stovall said Ico-Choc had a criminal record and was believed to be in the United States illegally. Court records obtained by WREX in Illinois show arrests for DUI in 2022 and 2023, along with other charges, including domestic battery.
Brunner starred at Arizona State from 2013-2017, averaging 13.6 points per game as a senior before signing with the Phoenix Mercury as an undrafted free agent. She also played briefly with the San Antonio Stars and spent time competing professionally in Italy.
Authorities say the crash happened at around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9. A Nissan Altima driven by Ico-Choc was driving south on the road when it crossed over and hit a Ford Edge driven by Connolly-Brunner head-on. Both drivers, the only people in the cars, were pronounced dead at the scene," wrote WREX news. "Autopsies on both Ico-Choc and Connolly-Brunner are scheduled for Tuesday.
"Sheriff Steve Stovall says deputies are investigating whether Ico-Choc was impaired at the time of the crash and Connolly-Brunner had no sign of impairment. Toxicology tests will be conducted, authorities say, with results likely to take several weeks."
