Illinois State Trooper Killed By Wrong-Way Driver On I-94: Police

GREEN OAKS, IL — An Illinois State Trooper was killed in a wrong-way crash on I-94 in Green Oaks early Saturday morning, marking the second line-of-duty death in less than 48 hours for the state police.

The trooper, identified as 36-year-old Gerald Ellis, was on-duty traveling home in his squad car in the westbound lanes of the highway when he was struck head-on by the wrong-way driver, Illinois State Police said in a press release. The crash happened around 3:25 a.m.

Ellis was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after 4 a.m.

The wrong-way driver, who was the only occupant of the car, was also killed in the crash, officials said. The investigation into the crash is active and ongoing.

Ellis is the second Illinois trooper to die in the line of duty this week. On Thursday, Trooper Brooke Jones-Story was killed during a traffic stop on Route 20 near Freeport.

"For the second time in three days, I stand before you to inform you of the untimely and tragic death of another Illinois State Police trooper," ISP Acting Director Brendan Kelly told reporters at a press conference.

Kelly said it had been 66 years since the Illinois State Police had lost three troopers in a single year. He also said that not since 1977 had the department lost two troopers in these many days.

"This loss is bitter salt in an open wound," Kelly said.

Ellis was assigned to ISP District 15 in Downers Grove and was an 11-year veteran of the department. He leaves behind a wife, two children, a brother and his parents. Ellis was also a veteran of the United States military.

"While the men and women of the Illinois State Police are still grieving our recent loss, it is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you of the death of another fallen trooper, Trooper Gerald Ellis," Kelly said in a statement. "Trooper Ellis laid down his life while protecting the citizens of this state. We are asking the public to respectfully give consideration to the family of Trooper Ellis and the ISP while we continue to process and work through this tragedy."

This report will be updated.