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Ex-WNBA star Sophie Brunner’s mom killed in head-on crash with illegal immigrant with history of driving drunk
Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, was struck when Rolando Ico-Choc, a 30-year-old Guatemalan national, crossed over into the wrong lane.
nypost.com
Ex-WNBA star Sophie Brunner’s mom killed in head-on crash with illegal immigrant with history of driving drunk
By
Emily Crane
Published Aug. 13, 2025
Updated Aug. 13, 2025, 8:31 a.m. ET
Former WNBA star Sophie Brunner’s mother was killed in a head-on crash in Illinois with an illegal immigrant who had a disturbing history of drunk driving, according to authorities.
Darcy Connolly-Brunner, 61, was struck when Rolando Ico-Choc, a 30-year-old Guatemalan national, crossed over into the wrong lane in Freeport on Saturday afternoon, the Stephenson County Sheriff’s office said.
The migrant, who had a hefty rap sheet including multiple prior DUIs, was also killed in the wreck, according to officials.
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8 Darcy Connolly-Brunner was killed in a car accident over the weekend. Family Handout
8 Sophie Brunner with her mom, Darcy Connolly-Brunner, and their family. Facebook / Sophie Brunner
Authorities are now probing whether Ico-Choc was under the influence at the time of the double fatality.
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They have already said there is no indication Connolly-Brunner — a married mom-of-four — was drunk.
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In the wake of the tragedy, Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) said Ico-Choc was in the US illegally and on Homeland Security’s radar.
“A woman who dedicated her life to her family and her community was killed in broad daylight by a man who never should have been in this country or on the road,” Chesney said in a statement.
8 Sophie Brunner with her mom, Darcy Connolly-Brunner, and their family. Facebook / Sophie Brunner
“His criminal record includes prior charges of DUI, aggravated (felony) DUI, and battery. Additionally, it was confirmed by the US Department of Homeland Security that he was in this country illegally, having crossed the border a few years ago during the Biden administration.”
Ico-Choc’s run-ins with authorities dates back to at least March 2022 when he was arrested on DUI charges, as well as driving without a valid license, WREX reported.
8 Sophie Brunner’s mom, Darcy, was killed in a car crash. Darcy Brunner / Facebook
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He pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor DUI and was ordered to remain under court supervision for two years, records show.
He was arrested again for a DUI in February 2023 when he was still banned from driving.
8 Sophie Brunner played for the Phoenix Mercury. NBAE via Getty Images
Ico-Choc pleaded guilty again and was slapped with a court supervision order, as well as a brief 80 stint in jail.
After he was arrested for domestic battery in June 2023, he was sentenced to six days in prison, court records show.
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