An Illinois State Police trooper was injured after a motorist rear-ended their marked squad car on southbound I-94 early Saturday morning, department officials said.
State police say a 47-year-old Dolton man has been identified as the driver of the Audi that crashed into the rear of the squad car. He has since been cited for disobeying the “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to change lanes and reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing hazard lights.
The trooper’s squad car was struck at approximately 2:20 a.m. while assisting with an earlier traffic accident on the road, near 111th street in Pullman. The vehicle’s emergency lights were activated when it was parked in one of the lanes.
The squad was in the car when the accident occurred. They were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries, as was the driver of the Audi and his passenger.
For violating the “Move Over” law, the driver of the Audi will be fined between $250 and $10,000. Because the crash resulted in the injury of a soldier, the driver may also face a mandatory suspension of his driver’s license for anywhere from six months to two years .
The incident marks the 17th time so far in 2024 that motorists not obeying the “Move Over” law have crashed into Illinois State Police vehicles, police said. Eight soldiers have been injured in such crashes this year.
The rule is also known as “Scott’s Law” in honor of Chicago Fire Department Officer Scott Gillen, who was fatally struck by a drunk driver in 2000 while assisting at the scene of a traffic accident.