BELLEVILLE – A former Illinois State Police trooper whose 2007 high-speed crash killed two sisters has filed for reinstatement of his driver's license – a move opposed by prosecutors, who argue "he chose to drive like a cowboy instead of a trooper."

Matt Mitchell, 34, was driving more than 120 mph and using his cellphone on Interstate 64 in southwestern Illinois the day after Thanksgiving when his cruiser crossed the median and slammed into an oncoming car occupied by Jessica Uhl, 18, and Kelli Uhl, 13. The sisters from Collinsville died, and a couple in another car – Kelly and Christine Marler of Fayetteville – were injured.

Mitchell, who now lives in Killeen, Texas, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide charges and was sentenced to 30 months of probation. He has applied for reinstatement of the driving privileges the state revoked in May 2010.