LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — An Illinois State Trooper’s squad car was hit by a driver who State Police said failed to move over on Tuesday.
According to State Police, the incident occurred on southbound Interstate 55 at milepost 217 in Livingston County, shortly before 3 a.m. A trooper was stationed in the right lane behind a vehicle involved in an earlier crash.
The squad car had its emergency lights activated when it was struck by a Chevrolet Express van. The trooper was inside the vehicle during the incident but was unharmed. However, the squad car sustained significant damage and required towing from the site.
The driver of the van, a man from Nebraska, faced charges including driving too fast for conditions, operating an uninsured vehicle, and violating Scott’s Law, also known as the Move Over Law.
This marks the 10th incident this year related to the Move Over Law for the Illinois State Police. Last year, there were 27 such incidents, resulting in 12 troopers being injured and one fatality. In 2023, there were 21 such incidents with seven injuries among troopers.
State Police are using this recent incident to highlight the importance of the Move Over Law, reminding drivers to change lanes when approaching any stationary vehicle with flashing emergency lights. Ignoring this law could result in fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 for a first infringement.
If the violation results in an injury, the violator’s driver’s license could be suspended for six months to two years.
More information about State Police related crashes can be found here.
