Paris, Illinois (November 17, 2025) — A pedestrian crash near the Edgar County Courthouse claimed the life of Teresa A. Bradley, 67, after she was struck by a county-owned dump truck while crossing an intersection in Paris, according to the Paris Police Department and the Champaign County Coroner.
Incident Details: The collision occurred around 2:34 p.m. on November 17 at the intersection of Wood Street and Central Avenue, just northwest of the Edgar County Courthouse. Officers responding to the scene found Bradley lying in the roadway beneath the front of an Edgar County Highway Department dump truck. She was unresponsive and was transported by Horizon Health ambulance to Carle Hospital in Urbana.
Bradley succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at approximately 2:24 a.m. the following morning, November 18, according to Coroner Laurie Bauer.
A case report later obtained through a FOIA request revealed that Bradley had entered the intersection with a white walk signal and was approximately halfway across the first lane of Central Avenue when the signal changed to a flashing orange stop hand. At that time, Bradley was walking westbound across Central Avenue. The dump truck, driven by Dawson T. Watson, was traveling westbound with a green light and began turning southbound onto Central Avenue, where it struck Bradley. The impact caused her to fall and hit her head on the pavement.
Investigation: Paris police conducted a frame-by-frame review of nearby security camera footage to determine how the crash occurred. Investigators concluded that Bradley had the right of way when she entered the intersection. Based on those findings, Watson was issued a citation for failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian.
Police reports indicate that the dump truck driver said he stopped only after a witness ran toward him following the collision. That witness told officers he contacted Edgar County 911 after hearing a noise and seeing Bradley on the ground. Watson’s first traffic court appearance related to the citation is scheduled for December 18 at the Edgar County Courthouse.
Legal Considerations: Pedestrian crashes at controlled intersections often turn on right-of-way determinations and whether drivers exercised proper caution while turning. Even when a pedestrian signal changes mid-crossing, drivers making turns are required to yield to pedestrians lawfully within the crosswalk. The involvement of a large government-operated dump truck further underscores the severity of these incidents, as the size and weight of such vehicles significantly increase the risk of fatal injuries.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, Bradley’s surviving loved ones may consider pursuing a wrongful death claim to address medical costs, funeral expenses, and the loss of companionship caused by a preventable failure to yield. While no legal process can undo the loss, accountability plays a critical role in acknowledging what occurred and honoring the life that was lost.
My deepest sympathies are with the Bradley family and their loved ones during this time of tragic loss.
Source: WCIA News