Harold (Max) McComb, a member of the Mahomet-Seymour School Board, is awaiting trial on reckless driving and electronic device charges following a March 1, 2025 crash on Interstate 57 that injured an Illinois State Police trooper.
McComb, 66, faces two traffic-related charges stemming from the 1:49 p.m. incident near milepost 302 in Kankakee County. He has been charged with reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor, and using an electronic communication device while driving, classified as a petty offense, according to court records.
According to Illinois State Police, the incident occurred when a trooper responded to a report of debris on the roadway near Chebanse. The trooper parked the squad car in the right lane with emergency lights activated and removed the debris from the roadway. As the trooper returned to the vehicle, McComb’s Lincoln SUV allegedly struck the squad car from behind, failing to move over as required by law.
Both McComb and the trooper sustained injuries in the collision. The trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. McComb also received medical treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital.
At the scene, McComb was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and violating Scott’s Law, Illinois’ Move Over Law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles with activated lights.
McComb appeared in Kankakee County Traffic Court on April 2, 2025, before Judicial Officer Thomas Cunnington where he entered a not guilty plea and requested a jury trial. He is represented by retained attorney Peter W. Su, who has appeared on his client’s behalf both in person and via Zoom throughout the proceedings.
During the initial court appearance, Assistant State’s Attorney Gunderson appeared for the prosecution. Attorney Su demanded discovery, which the court indicated was available on the state’s techshare system. Medical records from Riverside Medical Center were subpoenaed in May and subsequently reviewed by the court before being tendered to the State’s Attorney’s office in early June.
The case has been continued multiple times at the defendant’s motion. After an initial jury setting scheduled for July 29, 2025, the matter was continued to November 5, 2025, when Assistant State’s Attorney Smith appeared for the prosecution. During that hearing, the case was again continued on the defendant’s motion.
The jury trial setting is now scheduled for January 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judicial Officer Cunnington. Court records indicate that if a plea agreement is not reached, the defendant may appear via Zoom for the upcoming hearing.
McComb has not been convicted and maintains his not guilty plea.
The case remains open in Kankakee County Traffic Court under case number 25MT425.
