Truck Driver in Crash that Killed Vernon Hills Trooper Drove More than 14 Hours Without Rest

Illinois State Trooper James Sauter, of Vernon Hills, died March 28 when his parked squad car was struck by a semi-tractor trailer on the Tri-State Tollway.

Posted Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 2:54 pm CT|Updated Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 4:05 pm CT

The United Van Lines trucker who crashed into a squad car, killing Trooper James Sauter, 28, of Vernon Hills, fell asleep at the wheel after driving more than 14 hours, reports the Lake County News-Sun.

Though truck driver Andrew B. Bokelman, 26, has not been charged with a crime, Bokelman and United Van Lines were fined because drivers on duty more than 14 hours are supposed to take a 10-hour rest under federal law, according to the News-Sun.

Read the full story at www.newssun.suntimes.com.

Trooper James Sauter was killed in the early morning hours of March 28, when a semi-tractor trailer struck his squad car, which was parked at I-294 southbound and Willow Road. Sauter, who was on duty at the time of the fiery crash, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:12 a.m., reported Patch.

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