A tragic incident occurred on Monday night in Will County near Channahon, where a car struck and killed an Illinois State Police trooper.
Authorities reported that Trooper Clay Carns, 35, noticed debris in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55, just north of Blodgett Road, at approximately 9:45 p.m. He activated his squad car’s emergency lights and safely pulled over to the right shoulder.
While retrieving the debris after exiting his vehicle, he was struck by a passing Chevrolet Silverado. Carns was transported to Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where he was declared deceased.
Trooper Carns dedicated 11 years to the ISP and was a devoted husband and father to two young children. His life was tragically cut short just before the holiday season.
The driver implicated in this incident, 69-year-old John Fleet from Wilmington, has been charged with breaching a law that mandates drivers to reduce speed and change lanes when nearing an emergency vehicle or any vehicle displaying emergency or hazard lights. Those who break the rules may incur penalties ranging from $250 to $10,000 for their initial violation. Fleet may face a suspension of his driver’s license lasting anywhere from six months to two years. Authorities reported that Fleet was issued several traffic citations as well.
Authorities reported that, to date, there have been a minimum of 26 incidents linked to Scott’s Law involving state troopers this year, resulting in 12 injuries among troopers and one fatality.
Monday marked a significant occasion dedicated to honoring public safety workers, serving as a crucial reminder for drivers to reduce speed and change lanes when nearing emergency vehicles or stationary cars on the roadway.
This legislation honors the memory of CFD Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who tragically lost his life due to a drunk driver while he was providing assistance at a crash site on the Dan Ryan Expressway in 2000.
