UPDATED: Crash claims former St. Thomas More standout - Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette
URBANA — A former Champaign resident died Thursday as a result of a two-vehicle collision in Iroquois County. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said Stephen T. Montez, 24, of Cissna Park, was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 7:02 p. m. , a victim of traumatic injuries. According to a report from the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Montez was traveling eastbound on 700N at the intersection of 1100E when the Subaru SUV he was driving was struck by a southbound Ford F-250 that was pulling a trailer with a... Montez was extricated from his vehicle by Cissna Park and Buckley firefighters before being airlifted to Carle. The Iroquois County Sheriff and Champaign County Coroner’s office are still investigating. Montez was the first wrestler in St. Thomas More program history to reach 100 career wins, doing so in February of his senior year. He graduated from St. Thomas More with 114 career victories, qualifying for state his senior season and finishing with a 35-5 record to earn News-Gazette Area Honorable Mention status. “All the kids adored Steve,” said family friend Ed Sexton, Rantoul, who was a wrestling coach alongside Ben Montez, Stephen’s father, starting in 2009. “He took the time to work with everybody and coach all of our kids. Montez graduated from the University of Illinois in 2014 with a. Source: www.news-gazette.com
