State Police say they have investigated six crashes were troopers were struck while working during the current winter storm. Fourinvolved violation of Scott’s Law as a factor.
One of the crashes on Wednesday was on southbound I-57 south of Mattoon. The driver of a car lost control on the slick pavement as it was passing the squad car and struck the squad in the rear. There were no injuries.
Two other squad cars were hit on Wednesday while assisting motorists who had lost control on the ice in different locations on I-72 in Central Illinois. Both troopers went to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. State Police say violations of the Move Over Law were a contributing factor.
On Thursday crashes occurred on I-74 near Urbana where a truck sideswiped a squad car handling a crash. On I-80 near New Lenox a squad car was hit in the rear that was conducting traffic control for a tow truck. both had violations of the Move Over Law as a contributing factor. In the third case, a State Trooper was
struck in the rear while traveling westbound on I-74 near Muncie.
ISP Director Brendan Kelly said obeying Scott’s Law is even more important during inclimate weather. “Scott’s Law” requires anyone approaching an emergency vehicle to slow down and move over. A person who violates the law can face a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for the first offense. If the
violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.
