Trooper Hurt After DUI Suspect Hits Police Vehicle On I-88: State Police

ELMHURST, IL – A drunken driver struck a state police car early Sunday morning on Interstate 88 south of Elmhurst, authorities said.

Both the trooper and the driver of a Tesla were taken to area hospitals.

About 4 a.m., the trooper was on the right shoulder of I-88's westbound lanes, parked behind a broken-down semi-truck, state police said in a Facebook post. The squad car's emergency lights were activated.

The Tesla driver, 24-year-old Sebastian G. Rodriguez of Romeoville, failed to move over and struck the squad car's passenger side, pushing it forward into the back of the semi-truck, police said. The trooper was inside the car and was injured.

The state police car was towed away because of the damage.

Rodriguez was charged with DUI and an aggravated failure to move over for a police car, known as Scott's Law, police said.

So far this year, the state police have suffered nine Scott's Law violations. In 2024, the agency reported 27 such violations, with a dozen troopers injured and one dying, police said.

Under state law, all drivers must move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with emergency or hazard lights activated.

A violator faces a fine of $250 to $1,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in an injury to another person, the violator's driver's license will be suspended for anywhere between six months and two years.