An Illinois truck driver has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal crash that claimed the life of an Illinois State Trooper in March. Craig Wade Dittmar, 55, faces charges of reckless homicide and operating a motor vehicle while fatigued, according to an official statement from the Illinois State Police.
The incident occurred on March 28 when Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was conducting a traffic stop on the side of a highway near Freeport, Illinois, approximately 115 miles west of Chicago. While she was inspecting a commercial truck, a semi tractor-trailer, allegedly driven by Dittmar, struck her, her squad car, and the truck she had pulled over.
Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, 34, was tragically killed in what was reported as the 15th crash involving a stopped squad car on Illinois interstates this year. The dangers faced by law enforcement during routine traffic stops are often overlooked, highlighting the risks they undertake daily.
Dittmar, a resident of Stockton, was reportedly cited at the scene for improper lane usage and violating Scott’s Law, which mandates drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. This law is designed to protect law enforcement and other first responders working on the roadside.
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Following his arrest on Thursday, Dittmar was held at Stephenson County jail on a $250,000 bond, as reported by FOX News.
Tragically, Jones-Story is one of three Illinois state troopers to have died in traffic-related incidents this year. Trooper Gerald Ellis, 36, was killed just two days later by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 94 near Libertyville. In January, Trooper Christopher Lambert was struck and killed outside his vehicle while responding to a three-car crash near Northbrook.
These incidents underscore the critical need for increased awareness and adherence to traffic laws, particularly those designed to protect law enforcement and emergency personnel. The loss of these troopers serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve and protect our communities. The importance of driver safety and vigilance cannot be overstated, especially when sharing the road with emergency vehicles.