Illinois State Police trooper killed by car on I-55 before Christmas
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) — An Illinois State Police trooper was hit and killed by a car in Will County near Channahon Monday night.
Police said Trooper Clay Carns, 35, spotted debris in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 north of Blodgett Road around 9:45 p.m., and turned on his squad car's emergency lights and pulled over on the right shoulder.
After he got out of the vehicle to pick up the debris, he was hit by a passing Chevrolet Silverado. Carns was taken to Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where he was pronounced dead.
On Tuesday evening, a black van left the parking lot of the Will County Coroner's office in Joliet---followed by several Illinois State Police cars with flashing lights. It was the very kind of somber procession that is typically seen when a department loses one of its own.
Meanwhile Tuesday, holiday traffic rushed past a roadside tribute in the form of a bouquet—honoring a trooper who won't be home for Christmas.
Trooper Carns served 11 years with ISP and was a husband and a father to two young kids. He was killed just before Christmas.
"Any time we lose a trooper hurts, but today is Christmas Eve here on December 24, so it kind of hurts in a particular way," ISP Director Brendan Kelly said. "Please remember when you are in your home, peacefully, safely enjoying your family tonight and tomorrow morning, Christmas Day, that's not a coincidence. That's not just some Christmas miracle. It's possible because a police officer made it possible."
Christmas Eve wakes to the terrible absence of ISP Trooper Clay M. Carns. Trooper Carns was struck & killed last night while removing debris from SB I-55 near Channahon. Trooper Carns, 35, was an 11 year veteran of the ISP & leaves a wife & 2 children. https://t.co/vhbRxCdj7J pic.twitter.com/YHI1maY3of
— Kris Habermehl (@KrisHabermehl) December 24, 2024
ISP said the driver involved in this crash, 69-year-old John Fleet, of Wilmington, was charged with a violation of Scott's Law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any other vehicle with its emergency lights or hazard lights activated. Violators could face fines of $250 to $10,000 for a first offense. Fleet also could have his driver's license suspended between six months and two years. Police said Fleet also received multiple traffic citations.
Police said, so far this year, there have been at least 26 Scott's Law-related crashes involving state troopers, with 12 troopers injured and one killed.
Since 2019, state police have seen 135 Scott's Law crashes—with 27 so far this year. Trooper Carns is the third ISP trooper killed from Scott's Law violations in the past five years.
Monday was Scott's Law Day, a day to honor public safety workers and remind drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles or cars on the road.
Earlier this month, Illinois State Police expanded their move-over alerts. They announced whenever troopers are in the side of the road, drivers in the area will get a digital alert on their phones and their navigational systems—advising them as to what is ahead.
"I want people to know when they see that notification pop up, that's more than just a little icon," said Kelly. "That icon is a person, a trooper who is has dedicated his life to keeping you safe, and it's your opportunity to help keep them safe."
The law is in memory of CFD Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was killed by a drunk driver while assisting at a crash scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway in 2000.
"Slow down and move over," said Kelly. We keep saying it. We keep saying it. We can't say it enough."