Collisions involving stationary police vehicles in Illinois have tragically claimed the lives of two state troopers and injured at least one other since the beginning of the year. These incidents have prompted state lawmakers to urge drivers to adhere to Scott’s Law, which mandates that drivers slow down and change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles with activated warning lights.
The most recent tragedy involved the death of Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, 34, on Thursday, March 28, 2019. This fatality marked the 15th crash of the year involving an Illinois State Police (ISP) vehicle, according to reports. The ISP and state officials have been actively campaigning to raise awareness about Scott’s Law and encourage drivers to prioritize safety around emergency vehicles.
Earlier in the year, Trooper Christopher Lambert, also 34, was killed in January while responding to a three-car collision. While standing near the crash site, Lambert was struck by a Jeep that failed to slow down. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital and left behind a one-year-old child. The loss of Trooper Lambert deeply affected the ISP and the community.
Trooper Jones-Story was conducting a truck inspection on the side of the highway with her emergency lights activated when a semi-trailer veered off the roadway. The truck struck her squad car and then fatally struck the trooper, according to ISP Acting Director Brendan F. Kelly. A 12-year veteran of the force, Jones-Story is survived by her husband, two stepchildren, a stepgrandchild, and other family members.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker expressed his condolences to the family following the devastating loss, emphasizing the importance of drivers changing lanes or slowing down when encountering emergency vehicles. He reiterated that it is not only the law but also the “only decent thing to do.”
Our state troopers do incredible work keeping the public safe, and it is devastating to the entire state that another has been killed on the side of a highway. — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 28, 2019
Scott’s Law, also known as the “Move Over” Law, requires drivers to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicles displaying warning lights, as explained on the Illinois State Police website. Following Jones-Story’s death, the police issued a tweet featuring highway overhead signs with the message “Enough Is Enough” and a reminder about Scott’s Law.
The overhead signs tonight on the Tollway showed a quote from ISP Acting Director Kelly following the tragic death of Trooper Brooke Jones-Story today. #EnoughIsEnough #MoveOver #SlowDown #NoMoreExcuses #ThisHasToStop #DoTheRightThing #OurLivesDependOnIt pic.twitter.com/rzI1TVfoiV — IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) March 29, 2019
Just one week prior to Jones-Story’s death, another trooper narrowly escaped death in the state’s 14th accident. The trooper was responding to a vehicle that had struck a light pole when a passing truck struck him outside of his marked squad car, which had its lights activated. The trooper was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
In response to these incidents, lawmakers are advocating for stricter penalties for drivers who violate Scott’s Law, according to the Chicago Tribune. Proposed legislation could classify crashes resulting in injury or death as a misdemeanor charge. Currently, violators face fines of up to $10,000 and potential license suspension.
The Illinois State Police continues to mourn the loss of these troopers and urges all drivers to prioritize safety and comply with Scott’s Law to prevent future tragedies. The ISP emphasizes that these measures are crucial for protecting law enforcement officers and ensuring the safety of everyone on Illinois roadways. The dangers of driver negligence are apparent.
Jim McNeff is a freelance writer and former managing editor of Law Enforcement Today.