Trooper Seriously Hurt When Driver Smashes Into Squad Car On I-55

JOLIET, IL — An Illinois State Trooper was seriously injured Monday after responding to a crash on I-55 near Route 30 when another driver smashed into the back of the trooper's vehicle.

State police said the trooper had pulled over behind two wrecked vehicles and turned on the emergency lights while responding to a crash around 11:45 a.m.

While the trooper was in his squad car, a black 2010 Cadillac crashed into the back of his vehicle. The trooper was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Cadillac, 20-year-old Angel M. Casillas of Joliet, was also taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. The two vehicles from the earlier crash were not involved.

The crash marks the sixth resulting from a Scott's Law violation so far in 2021 and the second in two days. Scott's Law, also known as the “move over” law, requires drivers to slow down and move over for a parked emergency vehicle with its lights activated or any vehicle with its hazard lights on.

In 2020, the minimum fine for violating Scott's Law more than doubled, from $100 to $250 for a first offense and second or repeat offenses punishable with fines of $750 to $10,000. The change came after three Illinois State Police Troopers were killed in 2019 and 26 trooper cars were struck by drivers.

In 2019, troopers Chris Lambert, Gerald Ellis and Brooke Jones-Story were killed in Scott's Law violations.

I-55 at Route 30 remained closed until 3:45 p.m. for the crash investigation, police said.

Original story:

All northbound lanes on I-55 at Route 30 were closed as of 12:45 p.m. Monday due to a crash, Illinois State Police said. At around 1:30, police said the road closing will last for several hours.

All drivers were being diverted of Route 30 and anyone traveling in the area should see an alternate route, police said.

No additional information was available, according to state police.

Check back with Patch for updates on this developing story.