Published on October 30, 2025 3:16 pm
Last Updated on October 30, 2025 3:16 pm
An Illinois State Police (ISP) squad car was hit this morning on I-57 in Douglas County as the Trooper was conducting traffic control for a previous crash.
Thursday, at approximately 5:50 a.m., an ISP Trooper was parked across the northbound lanes of I-57 conducting traffic control for a previous crash involving a commercial motor vehicle. The Trooper had activated the emergency lights in the squad car, directing traffic to exit at milepost 203 onto IL 133. A SUV failed to move over, failed to exit, and struck the front passenger side of the Trooper’s squad car. The Trooper was outside of the squad car at the time of the crash and reported no injuries. The driver of the SUV, 68-year-old Donald E. Morecraft of Robinson, IL, was charged with Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and a Scott’s Law/Move Over Law violation.
In 2025, ISP has now suffered 12 Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2024, ISP suffered 27 Move Over Law-related crashes with 12 Troopers injured and one death. In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes with seven Troopers injured. ISP reminds the public the Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law” in Illinois, requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.
A person who violates the Move Over Law faces a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.
