Illinois State Police say five State Troopers were struck while trying to assist motorists in Central and North Illinois during the blizzard-like conditions on Thursday.
Only one of the crashes involved injury. A State Police Sergeant and another driver who hit his squad car received minor injuries. That crash occurred on Interstate 290 in DuPage County.
Four of the State Police Squad cars were stationary with emergency lights on when they were struck, including the one in DuPage County. The fifth Trooper was involved in a crash with another vehicle on I-72 in Sangamon County.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says inclement weather presents a greater risk to everyone, especially Troopers working day and night to assist motorists on the road. Kelly says they need the motoring public to help them out by slowing down and moving over when approaching first responders on the roadway. Kelly wants everyone to make it home safely.
So far this year, there have been eight ISP squad cars struck in relation to the Move Over Law and three troopers have sustained injuries.
A person who violates Scott’s Law by not slowing down and moving over faces a fine no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a 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 time anywhere between six months and two years.
