Semi Strikes Stopped Squad Car Near St. Elmo

A semi struck a stopped Illinois State Police squad car along eastbound I-70 at St. Elmo Sunday morning, injuring the trooper and the driver of the semi.

The crash happened at 6:03am near the St. Elmo interstate interchange. The trooper was stopped inside the fully marked squad car with the emergency lights activated, assisting a stopped motorist on the right shoulder. The semi failed to yield and instead veered off the roadway and struck the rear driver's side of the squad car.

The trooper, who was not identified in information released by Illinois State Police, was treated for non life threatening injuries at an area hospital and then released. The driver of the semi, 58-year-old Pedro Espinosa of Sunland, California, was taken, along with his passenger, to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Espinosa was cited with a violation of Scott's Law, failure to reduce speed to avoid the crash, and improper lane usage. A person found guilty of a Scott's Law violation, faces a penalty of no less than $250 and up to $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 anywhere between six months and two years.

So far this year, there have been 19 Illinois State Police squad cars struck in relation to Scott's Law violations and 12 troopers have sustained injuries from Scott's Law-related crashes. Illinois State Police again remind the public of Scott's Law, otherwise known as the "Move Over" law. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over.

“I’m very proud of District 12 Troopers and all ISP Troopers working throughout the state risking their lives to keep our roadways safe,” stated District 12 Commander Lieutenant Kerry Sutton. “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,” stated District 12 Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton.