Kendall Co. Sheriff Explains 'Scott's Law' After Trooper's Death

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — The Kendall County Sheriff's Office is sending their condolences to the family and friends of Illinois State Police District 16 Trooper Brooke Jones-Story, who was killed Thursday morning when her squad car was struck by a tractor-trailer during a traffic stop in Stephenson County. In addition, the sheriff's office said they're reminding the public about "Scott's Law," in an attempt to avoid such tragedies.

“'Scott's Law' states when an emergency vehicle has its lights or siren activated, all drivers must attempt to slow down and change to a lane away from the emergency vehicle," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "If changing lanes is not possible because of heavy traffic, drivers must slow down."

According to the sheriff's office, drivers can be cited for failing to change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, and the citation can lead to a fine of $100 up to $10,000.

More: 'She Was Doing Her Job': ISP Trooper Hit, Killed On Route 20

The sheriff's office added that a violation of Scott's Law that results in an accident during which there's only property damage, the Secretary of State will suspend the offenders driver's license for 90 days.

However, if the accident results in injury, the suspension will be for 180 days. If an accident results in death, then the Secretary of State will suspend the offender's license for 2 years.

Barely 12 weeks into the year, 15 Illinois State Police squad cars have been struck on Illinois roads.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Jones-Story had pulled over a commercial vehicle for inspection on westbound Route 20 just west of Route 75 near Freeport, according to Kelly. Around 12:20 p.m., Jones-Story was outside her squad car when a tractor-trailer hit her vehicle and the the semi truck she was inspecting, fatally wounding the trooper. The truck veered off the roadway and struck the trooper while her squad car's lights were on, Kelly said.

Jones-Story is the second trooper to be killed in a traffic crash in 2019, after Trooper Christopher Lambert, of Highland Park, was fatally struck Jan. 12 on Interstate 294. A Wisconsin accountant faces reckless homicide charges in connection with the death.

The investigation into Thursday's deadly crash remains active, Kelly said. The driver of the commercial vehicle is in custody and has already been issued citations for improper lane usage and a violation of Scott's Law, according to the acting ISP director.