8 years in prison for man accused of hitting, backing over Army veteran in crash on I-43

Cornelius McShane



MILWAUKEE -- An Illinois man convicted in connection with a crash that happened on the Fourth of July in 2018 on I-43 was sentenced to prison on Thursday, Feb. 21. Army veteran and beloved junior ROTC advisor, Stephen Randall, died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.

Cornelius McShane, 67, of Freeport, Ill. on Jan. 24, 2019 pleaded no contest to one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. On Feb. 21, he was sentenced to serve eight years in prison and six years extended supervision, with credit for 38 days time served. A restitution hearing was scheduled for March 28.

McShane previously faced one count of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and one count of second degree reckless injury. That was before Master Sergeant Randall passed away as a result of his injuries.

The crash happened on July 4, 2018 on I-43 near Burleigh. The medical examiner on July 15, 2018 confirmed for FOX6 News Randall died. He was a junior ROTC instructor at Hamilton High School.

According to a criminal complaint, authorities responded to I-43 southbound at Burleigh, where they found a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on its side on the ground and a red Cadillac with severe front end damage and airbag deployment.

The complaint said McShane was identified as the driver of the Cadillac, and he had one passenger.

Master Sgt. Stephen Randall (right)



Wreck near I-43 and Locust



Wreck near I-43 and Locust



There were several citizens standing near the Cadillac, and authorities found the motorcycle operator laying on the ground, with the Cadillac’s rear passenger tire on top of the motorcyclist’s legs. The motorcyclist was unconscious but had a pulse — bleeding profusely from the head.

The motorcyclist, Randall, was taken to the hospital, where it was determined there were “numerous brain bleeds.” In addition to serving our country for 21 years, Randall was a junior ROTC instructor at Hamilton High School.

The complaint said McShane indicated he "had a few beers approximately four to five hours prior," and he took hydrocodone. Prosecutors said investigators noted a strong odor of intoxicants, red, glassy eyes and slurred speech.

Wreck near I-43 and Locust



Field sobriety tests were performed poorly, and the complaint said McShane was arrested. A preliminary breath test revealed a result of .134. A sample of his blood was taken at the hospital and submitted for analysis.

The complaint said a witness indicated he was headed southbound on I-43 when he saw several vehicles ahead of him with their brake lights on. He slowed down and as he approached the crash scene, he said he saw the motorcyclist laying in the road, and he saw the red Cadillac back up over the man.

Prosecutors said investigators recovered a bottle of hydrocodone from the Cadillac, along with a bottle of "amlodipine besylate" pills -- a blood pressure medication.