An Illinois State Police Trooper was struck by a commercial vehicle while assisting a motorist in Fayette County, according to reports from the Illinois State Police.
Illinois State Police reports says that at about 6:03 this morning Illinois State Police officials investigated a traffic crash involving an Illinois State Police District 12 Trooper on Interstate 70 eastbound near milepost 76—milepost 76 is the location of the St. Elmo exit on I-70.
State Police reports say the ISP Trooper was stationary at the location inside of a fully marked squad car with emergency lights activated, assisting a stopped motorist on the right shoulder. Reports say that a truck-tractor Semi-Trailer traveling east on Interstate 70 failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and veered off the roadway onto the right shoulder. Reports says the front end of the truck-tractor Semi-Trailer struck the rear driver’s side of the squad car. The report goes onto say the Trooper sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released. The driver and a passenger in the Truck-tractor Semi-Trailer were both transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 58 year old Pedro Espinoza of Sunland, California was charged with violation of Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or no more than $10,000 for a first offense. State Police reports say if the the violation of Scott’s Law results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between 6 months and 2 years.
The report goes onto say that so far this year there have been 19 Illinois State Police squad cars struck in relation to Scott’s Law and 12 Troopers have sustained injuries from Scott’s Law related accidents. The Illinois State Police say in the report that would like to remind the public of the requirements of Scott’s Law, otherwise known as the “Move Over” law. When approached an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down and move over.
In the release, there is a statement from Illinois State Police District 12 Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton that states “I’m very proud of District 12 Troopers and all ISP Troopers working throughout the state risking their lives to keep our roadways safe.” “These crashes are completely preventable, and I am asking the public to avoid putting the lives of others at risk by making responsible choices when behind the wheel; always move over when you approach a stationary vehicle on the side of the road.”
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