On April 25, 2020, at approximately 4:40 p.m. Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two vehicle personal injury traffic crash on Interstate 290 westbound east of York Road in DuPage County, involving a District 2 ISP Trooper.
On the above date at 4:09 p.m., a District 2 Trooper responded to a call for a stranded truck tractor semi-trailer in the lane of traffic on Interstate 290 westbound. The Trooper arrived on scene and activated the emergency lights. The Trooper positioned the squad car behind the truck tractor semi-trailer to block the two left lanes of traffic to protect the disabled motorist. The Trooper exited the squad car and placed road flares on the pavement to provide more visibility and then re-entered the squad car. Shortly after, an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) “Minuteman Truck” arrived on scene to assist with relocating the stalled truck tractor semi-trailer.
At 4:40 p.m., as the Trooper remained inside the squad car, positioned behind the IDOT Minuteman Truck and the stranded motorist, a gray Nissan failed to yield right of way to the stationary emergency vehicle, and struck the rear of the Trooper’s squad car. The impact caused the squad car to spin clockwise, pushing it into the middle lane of traffic. No other drivers or vehicles were involved in this crash.
The Trooper sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment; the Trooper has since been released. The driver of the gray Nissan, Willie E. Burr, a 50 year old male of Broadview, IL was uninjured. Burr was cited for Scott’s Law and Driving Too Fast for Conditions.
The ISP would like to remind the public of the requirements of Scott’s Law, otherwise known as the “Move Over” law. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down and change lanes when it is safe to do so.
“When you see emergency or hazard lights ahead, please move over and proceed with caution,” stated ISP District 2 Commander, Captain Michael J. Kraft. “The men and women of the ISP and other emergency personnel risk their lives daily to protect the public. Please do your part by paying attention as you drive, and obey Scott’s Law,” concluded Captain Kraft.
All persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***
