At his March 18, 2025, pretrial hearing, Darren Chamberlain’s attorney requested a continuance to subpoena items from the coroner. Defense Attorney Ruud told Judge Cosby that he wants to know if Tyler Bliss was “intoxicated and in the middle of the road” when Chamberlain allegedly struck and killed Tyler Bliss on May 3, 2024. Judge Cosby asked Attorney Ruud what items from the coroner’s office have to do with improper passing. Mr. Rudd responded that they believe Mr. Bliss was “not in his own lane.” Judge Cosby said to be ready to go to trial and that Mr. Ruud better have a very good cause to continue the case, as it is almost one year old. The Jury Pre-trial is scheduled for April 29, 2025, at 10 AM.
Tyler Bliss was riding his bicycle southbound on Highway 34 south of Kewanee when he was hit by a vehicle allegedly attempting to pass him. The vehicle’s driver, Darren Chamberlain, was issued a traffic citation for improper passing. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted the crash reconstruction and forwarded all the information to the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office.