Coroner IDs Alabama man fatally injured from motorcycle crash near Effingham

URBANA — The Champaign County Coroner has identified an Alabama man who died Friday at an Urbana hospital from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash a week earlier on Interstate 57 in Effingham.

Russell L. Bright, 63, was pronounced dead at 12:14 p.m. Friday at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana from multiple traumatic injuries, Coroner Stephen Thuney said.

Preliminary information indicated that on July 4, Mr. Bright was on the ramp from U.S. 45 to northbound I-57 at milepost 162 when his motorcycle left the roadway for an unknown reason.

He was initially taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham before being transferred to the trauma center at Carle, where he succumbed to his injuries. No autopsy was performed.

This death is being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.