Introduction to the Incident
An Illinois State Police trooper was injured when a suspected drunk driver hit their squad car early Sunday morning on Interstate 88 in DuPage County.
Details of the Crash
A little after 4 a.m., the trooper was parked on the right shoulder of I-88 at milepost 139 in DuPage County to help a tractor-trailer that had broken down, according to the ISP. That’s when a Tesla failed to move over and hit the rear passenger side of the trooper’s squad car, pushing into the rear of the truck. The trooper was inside their squad car at the time and was injured.
An Illinois State Police trooper was injured when a suspected drunk driver hit their squad car early Sunday morning on Interstate 88 in DuPage County. (Illinois State Police)
Suspect and Charges
The driver of the Tesla, Sebastian G. Rodriguez, a 24-year-old Romeoville resident, was also taken to an area hospital with injuries. Rodriguez was also charged with driving under the influence and aggravated Scott’s Law/move over violations.
Scott’s Law and Its Importance
So far this year, ISP has handled nine Scott’s Law-related crashes. Last year, the ISP had 27 crashes, and 12 troopers were injured, and one was killed in those incidents. A driver who fails to move over and slow down when an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle, is parked on the shoulder with emergency or hazard lights activated. A violation may result in a fine of at least $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the driver’s license can be suspended from six months to two years.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of adhering to Scott’s Law and the dangers of drunk driving. It is crucial for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to take necessary precautions to avoid accidents, especially when emergency vehicles are present. The community should come together to raise awareness about the importance of road safety and the consequences of violating traffic laws.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to the Illinois State Police trooper?
A: The trooper was injured when a suspected drunk driver hit their squad car on Interstate 88 in DuPage County. - Q: Who was the driver of the Tesla?
A: The driver of the Tesla was Sebastian G. Rodriguez, a 24-year-old Romeoville resident. - Q: What charges was Rodriguez facing?
A: Rodriguez was charged with driving under the influence and aggravated Scott’s Law/move over violations. - Q: What is Scott’s Law?
A: Scott’s Law requires drivers to move over and slow down when an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle, is parked on the shoulder with emergency or hazard lights activated. - Q: What are the penalties for violating Scott’s Law?
A: A violation may result in a fine of at least $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense, and if the violation results in injury to another person, the driver’s license can be suspended from six months to two years.
